Learn to Play a Guitar Scale
E Major Scale Linear (in a line)
Learning to play a guitar scale is the foundation for creating melodies. The first scale we will learn is E Major linear (in a line - up a single string).
A scale is a series of single pitches, ascending & descending in alphabetical order (and reverse). The tones of a scale system create the tonal material for a piece of music (they are a collection of pitches that can be used to create music - harmony & melody).
The first type of scale we will play is a Major scale. In Western music, 12 tones are utilized (each ONE half step to the next), yet for tonal music (in a key), we only use 7.
We 'eliminate' 5 tones by using a pattern: 221-2221, where a 2 = 2 half steps or 2 frets, & 1 = 1 half step or 1 fret.
The Major system creates a numbering system for the tone that is the ROOT (the 1). This is called DERIVATIVE.
We are deriving the tones of a key or scale by using the Major scale pattern.
E Major Linear in Tablature
The tones in this scale are E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, E (frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12 respectively).
E Major linear on a Grid
The hollow circle is the open string E, & the black dots are where you would place your fingers.
Try experimenting & improvising using this scale on a single string. Also, think about the chords derived from these tones. Each tone of the scale becomes a root of a chord (and a scale - modes). For the chords, start on the open E and skip every other tone until you have a triad (a 3 tone chord). The E chord would be 0-4-7 = E-G#-B. The F#m chord would be 2-5-9 = F#-A-C#, etc.
