Hi. This is my first lesson at Live4guitar and I’d like to offer it for free. It is the C major scale played in triplets using three notes per string up and down the entire neck (22 frets).
This lesson is meant to improve:
- The knowledge of the natural notes on the fret-board;
- The alternate picking;
- The coordination between left and right hand;
- The recognition of the major sound and its modes;
- The improvising approach.
Video of the full lesson, recently published on the Live4guitar Marketplace, is also included.
Let’s take a closer look at the guitar fretboard.
But first, a short recall of the modes built on the C major scale degrees and their related chords:
- 1st degree: C Ionian : C D E F G A B - Cmaj7
- 2nd degree: D Dorian : D E F G A B C - Dm7
- 3rd degree: E Phrygian : E F G A B C D - Em7
- 4th degree: F Lydian : F G A B C D E - Fmaj7
- 5th degree: G Mixolydian : G A B C D E F - G7
- 6th degree: A Aeolian : A B C D E F G - Am7
- 7th degree: B Locrian : B C D E F G A - Bm7b5
This system has eight shapes, boxes, patterns (whatever you want to call them) which are repeated.
I have also published a free guitar lesson on the Live4guitar Marketplace where you can download the whole pack for free.
The lesson package consists of:
- Main video(150bpm)
- Second video(120bpm)
- Third video(90bpm)
- Three correspondent backing tracks
- Basic theory supported with scores and audio examples
Have fun!
Pattern 1
The first pattern contains open strings and we see it only in the first position:
It starts on the third degree of the C major scale, therefore it is a pattern which can be associated to
E Phrygian: E F G A B C D
Listen to the sample
Pattern 2
The second pattern starts on the fourth degree of the C major scale, therefore it can be associated with
F Lydian: F G A B C D E
Moving this pattern along the neck we can obtain different modes. In the fifth position we have A Lydian (parent scale – E major), in the eighth position C Lydian (parent scale – G major), and so on.
Pattern 3
Starts on the fifth degree of the C major scale, therefore it can be associated with
G Mixolydian: G A B C D E F.
Moving this pattern along the neck we can obtain different modes. In the fifth position we have A Mixolydian (parent scale – D major), in the eighth position C Mixolydian (parent scale – F major), and so on.
Pattern 4
Starts on the sixth degree of the C major scale, therefore it can be associated with
A Aeolian: A B C D E F G
Moving this pattern along the neck we can obtain different modes. In the seventh position we have B Aeolian (parent scale – D major), in the tenth position D Aeolian (parent scale – F major), and so on.
Pattern 5
Starts on the seventh degree of the C major scale, therefore it can be associated with
B Locrian: B C D E F G A
Moving this pattern along the neck we can obtain different modes. In the third position we have G Locrian (parent scale – Ab major), in the fifth position A Locrian (parent scale – Bb major), and so on.
Pattern 6
Starts on the first degree of the C major scale, therefore it is the
C Ionian (major scale): C D E F G A B
Moving this pattern along the neck we can obtain different modes. In the first position we have F Ionian, in the fourth position Ab Ionian, and so on.
Pattern 7
Starts on the second degree of the C major scale, therefore it can be associated with
D Dorian: D E F G A B C
Moving this pattern along the neck we can obtain different modes. In the fourth position we have Ab Dorian (parent scale – Gb major), in the eighth position C Dorian (parent scale – Bb major), and so on.
Pattern 8
The last pattern is again E Phrygian, but without open strings.
Moving this pattern along the neck we can obtain different modes. In the fifth position we have A Phrygian (parent scale – F major), In the eighth position C Phrygian (parent scale – Ab major), and so on.
Moving these patterns up and down the neck you can obtain different modes belonging to different parent scales. Play slowly every pattern until you feel comfortable with it. While playing, try to spell mentally the name of the note you just picked. Than try to assemble the patterns in order: from 1 to 8 and further.
Don’t hurry! The main goal is to play accurate, even if slow, than to play fast but sloppy. The fast playing will come a little bit later.
You can also use the backing tracks as support for your own exercises or improvising as well. Here is the video from my YouTube channel where you can find a backing track in C major, good for practicing your improvising.
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