The Seven Shapes of the Major Scale ... (and how to play them)

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🎸INFO ABOUT THIS LESSON: wp.me/p5RO0X-2Lo
🎸TAB AVAILABLE ON PATREON: / 34300762
🎸THE GUITAR I AM USING IN THIS VIDEO
Since you ask all the time, guys, I decided to let you know which guitar I am using in each video. Today I have been using my Furch Yellow Master's Choice. (THIS IS NOT A SPONSOR).
🎸ABOUT THIS GUITAR LESSON
Practicing scales is such an essential part of any musician's life. The beauty of playing scales is that there are no rules on how we should approach them.
We can study the concept behind each scale (the interval patterns, note choice over chords, or the chords that come with it).
We can also completely ignore the music theory and play the scale in a position and memorize the sound of each note and how they fit over a chord.
Now, in this lesson, I am going to show you how to use both. We will approach the mechanical and technical way of playing the scale over a backing track and also the more creative approach using the scale to play a solo.
This exercise can be done on any guitar. I used an acoustic guitar, but we can do it on the electric or classical as the notes are the same.
We are also going to do it with the major scale only, and we are going to apply the major scale over different chords so that you have an idea of how it sounds.
In the first example, I am going to play the C major scale in seven positions. I will play the C major scale starting from each note of the scale. So, if the notes are C D E F G A B C, I will then play the scale starting from each note.
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🎸GEAR I AM USING ATM
GUITAR 1: Eko Massimo Varini Signature
GUITAR 2: Journey Instrument Sitka Sapele OF410
GUITAR 3: Journey Instrument Carbon Black Top Matte OF660M
GUITAR 4: LAVA ME 2 from Lava Music
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GUITAR MIC: NV TONE Duo Model System (www.nvtone.com)
🎸RECORDING
CAMERA 1: Canon 80D
CAMERA 2: Canon 700D
CAMERA 3. PANASONIC GH5
MIC: RODE
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🎸FAQs:
Are you a full-time KZbinr?
Yes, I am on KZbin as Marco Cirillo, and I promote my videos on my website BlitzGuitar.com. All the courses I post online are available on my Patreon page bit.ly/2rMAPYG
How long have you been playing guitar?
I started playing guitar when I was 10 years old, so it has been more than 20 years. I have always loved fingerpicking guitar, so this is why all my tutorials focus on this topic.
Why are you on Patreon?
Patreon is great! It allows creators to make money doing what they love. On Patreon, I can share my guitar lessons with my Patrons and get paid for it. As a creator, I feel like Patreon really made a massive difference in the way I share my content :)
Do you do concerts?
I used to do a lot of gigs in the past. London is a great place to play music almost every day. When my KZbin channel started to grow, I decided to go all-in and try to help as many people as possible learning guitar. This goal takes all the time I have available, so I am not doing any gig or concert atm.
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All the music posted to this channel are created by and belong exclusively to Marco Cirillo.
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All my music IS SUBMITTED TO THE KZbin CONTENT ID THROUGH DISTROKID which flags KZbin videos that use the same music so PLEASE DON'T SAMPLE ANY MUSIC FROM MY VIDEOS. IT IS NOT FREE FOR PROFIT.
Copyright video: bit.ly/32e7vcR

[@jergola]

much appreciated. I will be checking your patreon since I've been following your material so much.

[@azzuro195]

In short, you've just played 7 church modes (ionian, dorian, ..) of C major and corresponding chords over the C scale, starting with 4th degree - lydian, then 5th-mixolydioan, etc Anyone asking for "minor" scales my advice is to pay attention on 6th degree Amin (aeolian or minor) and distance from C-3 frets. Aminor has the very same fingering as Cmajor. So Amin shapes =C major shapes, also Bminor=D major etc...3 fret difference.. And no special shapes for minor. For desired minor just add +3 frets and play major scale. So Cminor shapes = C+3fret=D#major fingering...This approach wotks for pentatonic scales too (minor and major has the same shape just move the shape -3 fret to get major from minor penta for example). So the shapes are always the same. It really matters what note/chord is "above" the shape and where you start. Thats how yo get minor, major, ionian, lydian or any mode/scale. So for example Dmajor scale will sound completely different when played over C in base (it will be C dorian) instead D on base (D ionian). Cdorian will be dreamy and sad Dionian is happy and refreshing....Thats why the call them "modes" but its the same scale in different context. Hope this helps to people asking minor scales

[@MarcoCirillo]

Correct! 🎸🎸🎸

[@guitarforall262]

you speaking chinese man, i’m new to all this

[@azzuro195]

@@guitarforall262 Just relax an play :) It will come ..

[@l8tapex]

Really? Ive seen you troll other post too. Go to a Masters site, even a fellow GIT graduate and try to repeat stuff already known. We already know this guy is helping starters. You not adding anything . Remember kids 2 +2 = 4 . Now just so you know it is the base for partial differential equation! Azzuro Do your own site , with a real page and you can post up so we can toll your shit.

[@heddyrogue4187]

@@l8tapex Chill out man, if you don't want to read just don't read. Everyone's got right to speak.

[@Xtinagomezacebo]

Amazing lesson, Marco!! It opened my eyes and ears and lightened my way in this fantastic road to become a guitar player!! Thank you very, very much and congrats on your channel!!

[@user-ds6dn1gj5z]

Great video Marco great explanation great patience to teach other people!

[@fernandoramirez-br3rq]

Hey Marco i have learned a lot from you keep up the great work thank you!!!! 👍👍👍

[@nukhanlee1618]

Simply amazing @Marco!! 👍😍

[@tomjackpaul8566]

Thank you Marco, that was very useful and well communicated!

[@mathewsgift773]

The best coach have met ❤️

[@cyuzuzoaleks]

the video i never thought i needed 🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@Deja-Vu87]

Just what I wanted. Was looking for this type of video for so long!

[@guitardev9399]

Really love the sound of that Furch guitar. Cheers Marco!

[@michealjohn6589]

So clear and astonishing thank you

[@krishnabaghel4041]

the intro part of the video is just awesome.

[@divyagupta6007]

Thanks for this one!

[@erwinfernandes750]

Bravo !!! Not too many guitar players can make the playing of scales sound so musical and inspiring.

[@Coolcatgrooves]

The best scale lesson that I have seen. Bravo.

[@johncostopoulos7741]

great tutorial. much appreciated and many thanks

[@prawespradhan5860]

Very helpful I will definitely practice.

[@akimlucario]

This by far the best practice of major scale

[@Hp-lh3px]

Great lesson great teacher!

[@kevingreene6893]

Nice video tutorial Marco... really interesting:)

[@rogelioordonez777]

Great teaching Marco! This is really going to help not only with learning the scale but also learning the fretboard.... Great lesson! Really appreciate you and all you do! Is that a little gray on the roof top? Looks good Maestro! Keep up the good work...

[@rogelioordonez777]

Brother this is exactly what I have been seeking, a scale & use it to learn with a backing track with learning improvising , I think that makes sense....lol thanks blessings Awesome lesson... powerful....

[@elopez8967]

WOW!! I have never seen anyone explain scales like this!! Incredibly creative, exhilarating, and inspiring!! I have not touched my guitar in years!! Seeing your videos drive to pick up my guitar again!!!!!!!! Thank you Marco!! Is there any chance of being a personal student of yours?!?!!!!! You are a marvelous instructor!!!!!!!!! Thank you for sharing your incredible talents with the world!!!!!!!! God Bless Your Family and You.

[@louistech112]

You really taught us modes too

[@JustChorus]

That was absolutely beautiful, soothing and awesome.

[@Gleza519]

Sped explanation bro just start in order 1 2 3 4 why directly go to the 4th position

[@luisenriqueperezroman3742]

AMAZING! Best wishes from México City

[@richardrotor2462]

ohhh so nice video..i like it very much..more video please..thanks for sharing your talent..

[@Kuonpanam_offical]

Very helpful..thankyou❣🌼

[@animeshbandopadhyay4475]

It was very useful video for me . U really play best

[@GGthestoryteller]

You are just too good and awesome ❤️

[@asishkmathew759]

Started practicing this out... Got the 5 first positions correct... Working on the last two..

[@6StringsBent]

Thanks Marco,

[@anandmohan6880]

Was really helpful

[@tubwaiyan6776]

Dude you just saved my life!

[@srikantasarkar8539]

Thank so much sir 🙏🙏🙏

[@dhrubapatgiri3986]

U r amazing sir..tnkuu plz upload more video on shape

[@pubududilankawanigasooriya2690]

Amazing... ❤💐

[@lighthouse3498]

Sounds nice

[@mambricanmambisa374]

Thanks Marco

[@joelmenezes457]

Thanks for the videos. Really enjoyed it. But I had a confusing, how to use these shapes with different keys. Hope u out have a video lesson on it.

[@SangeethRangana]

I bought your course on udemy hope to have fun. Thank you from Sri Lanka

[@diegosuarez7679]

Amazing

[@gamefranconerv3439]

you are the best

[@Rsjalbum]

I like your guitar.

[@acoustica0]

Skill 😘💛💛

[@ColombianCaliph]

1:03 *laughs in drummer*

[@rise4320]

lmao nice lucky you

[@nathanielhunt5227]

Lol the intro sounds like the Final Fantasy main menu theme 😂

[@ericsvensson4857]

This is great! Is a similar video for minor coming?

[@DirtyHippyStudio]

it already is all the minor shapes as each major key has a relative minor. for example using these shapes in C major would be the exact same notes as A minor

[@roch3586]

@@DirtyHippyStudio wait sooo C major is A minor?????????????????? im so confused ;c

[@roch3586]

@@DirtyHippyStudio Actually thank you for this comment i researched what they were and now i understand :)

[@rickf6375]

Knowing your roots (fretboard knowledge!) and the intervals in a key (relative minor/major!) means, as previously stated by earlier comments, this lesson covers minor as well as major or for that reason all the other modes built from the degrees of a major scale.

[@michael-varney-music]

Not only do you now know the minor scale, but these shapes represent all the modes of the C major scale. For instance, the first shape you learned (4th position of the C major) is also F lydian. You know know all the modes. Just do this... call position 4 the lydian position, position 5 the mixolydian position, position 6 the minor (aeolian) position etc.

[@dookie1890]

It will be an excellent idea to describe in the title of the video for what level of guitar is the video for, so us beginners don't waste our time just to find out that the video is for advanced players. Just making the world better.

[@edmondvanlint8023]

I use the same shapes and found they are the keys in reverse order if they were in open position, CBAGFED, also, each position has three CAGED shapes that match what that chord would be in that key. A=B and E=F in CAGED. Some shapes have two of the same like the B key has an E and an F#

[@CoenBijpost]

It’s almost an introduction to modes ;)

[@shashidharuppada8757]

Hay what about minor scale patterns ? Can please make a video or how I can learn ?

[@someoneelse4628]

Idk how to really ask this question so I hope it makes sense. What is happening when we take the 3rd position of a G major scale and play it where the 5th position once was?

[@amateur_guitarist]

How do you get the backing track Marco?

[@jmorra]

How do you do that right hand technique???

[@animeshbandopadhyay4475]

Sir please show some major blues shape

[@Coolcatgrooves]

where does one find the backing tracks?

[@momcheto1822]

I love this video and is now part of my daily practice routine. Thank you!!!! I have a pressing question - how do these shapes transpose to another key. I understand we move the root but what about for example E or F when there will be no space left on the neck? Sorry if this is a stupid question. I can't seem to find examples anywhere for these shapes transposed in different keys than C - plenty of the CAGED based scale examples, but I started with these shapes and am tackling Modern Method for Guitar so perhaps it is best to focus on one approach and not mix and match. Your help would be much appreciated!

[@izeltavallai8147]

use your ears lol

[@momcheto1822]

You should try stand-up. You certainly have a killer sense of humor.

[@asimgiri4269]

Where can I get backing track ?

[@hilomdulom8689]

So it's basically playing different modes right?

[@talkabout2892]

Great Lesson Marco... Thank you so much!!! Eddie Lee

[@MarcoCirillo]

Tnx

[@shalendersingh1558]

Which company's Guitar is this? And Model pls

[@eleazarmilka5596]

Are these similar or has relation with 7 modes?

[@shashidharuppada8757]

In position five F note( scale is ending at F) ending at high E at first fret then why 3 and 5 that is G note and A note is played again as the scale ends at F right why again G and A note is played ?

[@Th_English]

Marco, when new release Apple Music ??

[@riccardo5281]

For the backing track?

[@shashidharuppada8757]

Can scales can be started at any note ? C D EF G A B C.... We can start the scale at anywhere ? Or we need to start at C (root note ) only ?.. the above video you have shown each note at different position irrespective of root note.

[@rukawa23gold]

🎶👍

[@timothyahernRoxyCat]

Great explanation for someone who already knows how to do it, lol.

[@_LoneWoulfe]

Now all we need is the 7 minor scale shapes

[@azzuro195]

the minor shapes are the same asmajor. just 3 frets difference. read my comment

[@danvers917]

@6:47 the first sequence is 12 13 15 (you play that correct) but you say 12 13 14... just saying for the people who are not visual learners.

[@user-ru8pp8qw6o]

Haw are you Marco? I Hope everything is fine , scary times...praying for you all. Take vitamins! D, A and especially C! It's strengthening the immune system up to 80%

[@azzuro195]

Also play major chords only ;) just happy thoughts.

[@shashidharuppada8757]

I have two doubt ! Do we need to know all the patterns? You have given 7 patterns ❤️.. do we have more patterns in major scale or 7 patterns are last ? Apart from 7 patterns you explained do we have any other patterns ?❤️❤️❤️

[@michael-varney-music]

These 7 patterns give you all the modes of the major scale. This is a hybrid scale in that some strings have 3 notes, others have 2. There are another set of major scale and it's modes, with 7 positions, that use 3 notes per string and each starting with the same note on the low E string. Those can be learned. There are other extended position scales for instance, one that uses all 7 notes on one string etc. In the end it is all about the WWHWWWH structure of the major scale and it's permutations for each mode.

[@laurenswann1006]

What type of Guitar is that?

[@advancepiano]

It is man made guitar😂😂

[@georgep5599]

Is F Maj scale notes are F G A Bb C D E F?But 3:03 we can see not B instead of Bb!!!!

[@felipevillalobos26]

C major?

[@karmila9]

🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷✌

[@reneserna3168]

Everybody has different patterns.

[@muntajimamahbub9617]

I can play its Inion Dorion Physian Lydian Aolion Mixolodion Right?

[@azzuro195]

you are right. he plays modes of Cmajor starting with 4th-lydian F

[@axeandraxe]

the shapes are 12

[@ahuman7295]

Why does this say 16 seconds ago

[@andytjhin7670]

Can i play a guitar even though my finger is short 😥😥😥.

[@danielkim9999]

What is more important is how your fingers stretch and move About having short fingers, if it is not a baby's hand it's possible for anyone With practice, it's possible There is a famous guitarist channel called "Sung Ha Jung", there are one of his old videos of him when very young May he be your role model :)

[@guitardev9399]

Yes you can. Have a look at videos of Yoyo and Lisa X who both started when they were small kids.

set speed 1.75 at start.

[@kingrobert1st]

Bdim, G over B...lost me there...thought this was in C maj. I gave up on theory as soon as letters in the alphabet came in.

[@michelaraujo183]

You remind me of Henry Cavill

[@bubbabuckwheat]

Can I hit like more than once?😎

[@neelaakaasham]

Yes you can. But it erases the like if you click the button twice. So i suggest to click it an odd number of times so that it ends up on a "like". An even number of clicks doesn't give you the desired result 😉

[@ruzbehmusic]

need the tabs on the screen... bye

[@Mach1Airspace]

These are supposed to be shapes of the Major Scale and yet you played the majority of them over non-major chords: A-minor, D-minor, C-minor and B-dim chords. I was taught the Major Scales were only played over the major chords (F, G, D, C, A, E and B). I'm relatively new to guitar but aren't you stretching the rules a bit here?

[@luislizardo5008]

Mach1Airspace major scales don’t exclusively contain major chords and minor chords don’t exclusively contain minor chords. For example, the C Major scale has Dm, Em, and Am just to name a few. Does that make sense?9

[@Mach1Airspace]

Yes, actually it does make sense. A bit complicated, but like learning to play the guitar, it's multi-dimensional. Thanks for the explanation. Very much appreciated.

[@SleeplessInDallas]

you need some sunshine

[@jasneskis]

Do this for ukulele.

[@lucaboscherini194]

Italiano cazzo

[@jonathanmcdermott6217]

Lol First

[@mickeywiththeglock3355]

Dang it.

[@adilansari7134]

Eminor position wrong

[@lucaboscherini194]

Che palle sto.inglese se sei italiano

[@MarcoCirillo]

Bros vai sul canale Italiano Marco Cirillo Lezioni di Chitarra 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻.

[@americaniron8904]

You’re the best!!!!! Thank you