The hack for learning every guitar scale
How to memorise scale shapes
Hey guitar players,
Can the process of setting something to memory seem overwhelming?
Do you struggle to quickly build confidence with scale shapes?
There is an approach that will help you memorise every scale you try, and at the same time, develop your overall playing technique.
It involves a simple tweak to how you practice 👌
The Technique
When you see a scale like this (C Major), most players will begin to workout finger placement and play each note, one after the other. Up and down. Following the order that is presented to us.
In the example above, you follow frets 3, 5 - 2,3,5 - 2,4,5.
This is a good starting point.
However, I encourage you to change this.
Try:
In this example, you start with the 1st note of the scale (C) and gradually add one note at a time. Returning to the 1st/root note, after each fret is added. This works wonders for developing your memory! 🧠
And - it is developing entirely new techniques, as you are asking your fingers to work, stretch and move in a way that isn’t required when playing scales the standard way 🙌
Your fingers are tackling new movements. They’re stretching to different positions. They are experiencing greater repetition, which produces more moments to improve. And you are generally training your brain to think outside the box 💥
This doesn’t mean that you should never play a scale in a standard way (as shown in the first image). But I do believe you should have both options available to you. And always incorporate this second approach, as a way to greatly improve your musicianship.
Practice is important. But practice with purpose, variety & creative approaches, adds SO much more to your ability.
Finding it hard to make sense of this exercise with just txt? Check my YouTube tutorial here
Give me a shout if you have any questions.
The Progression
Feeling confident with the above?
Next up - try playing the scale on 1 string. Like the image below demonstrates:
Playing this way will give you a greater understanding of the intervals that occur between each note.
When we use multiple strings, it can be harder to understand the space that exists from one note to the next. So try focusing on one string.
Also - play the whole scale with 1 finger. Then progress to including fingers 2, 3 & 4.
When all fingers are applied, I would suggest the following for the above progression:
Fingers: 1 - 3 - 1 - 2 - 4 - 1 - 3 - 4
Each of these shapes are chromatic. Meaning they can be shifted to anywhere on the fretboard.
As long as you keep the same spacing between frets, you will be playing the major scale for whatever your first note is.
For example, if you start the shape in image 1 on fret 5 (note ‘D’) - you are now playing the D Major Scale.
Experiment. Challenge yourself. Let me know how you get on.
🎸 New Course
I wrapped filming for a new course yesterday. It felt great to be back presenting and playing some new content. I’m excited to share this with everyone!
The course is all about guitar chords and how a collection of simple open chords, can be turned into something beautiful, with the help of 7ths, inversions & many more little tips & tricks 💥
Everyone on this newsletter will receive early previews and links to free access 💯
🎥 YouTube
Two other videos have dropped since my last newsletter. Check them here:
What can you do with power chords..? (A LOT!)
The beginner guitar chord lesson I wish I had
👌 Recommendations
Two very different styles of music that I’m sending your way this time!
Alala - Tsodrano: I discovered this on an episode of ‘The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan’. The guitar work is beautiful. Fantastic picking style. And some lush vocals!
Soft Play - HEAVY JELLY (Album): For those with a heavier/punk persuasion, then the new Soft Play album hits hard. There are some tunes I’m loving at the moment. Especially ‘Punk’s Dead’, ‘Act Violently’ & ‘Everything and Nothing’.
🌍 Links
Guitar Courses
🎸 Free Beginner Guitar Course (Become A Confident & Creative Guitarist)
🎸 Learn Guitar: The Complete Beginners Guide
🎸 Guitar Practice: Improve Finger Strength, Stretch, Speed & Independence
All of my other instrument classes can be found on Skillshare. This link gives you 1 month FREE access to my courses & the entire Skillshare site.
🙋♂️Follow me for more guitar, bass & ukulele related chat & tutorials:
🧡 My Music Charity
Speak soon,
Marc
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