Guitar Scales.

[JonC]

maybe I'm just retarded, but I dont get it one bit. I mean, I think i get it somewaht, but like, the 'premise' of them I do not.

Go here: http://www.all-guitar-chords.com/guitar_scales.php?qqq=+0&scch=C&scchnam=Pentatonic+Major&get2=Get

Hopefully you are seeing an image of a guitar's fretboard and it'll have yellow-orange circles on the strings and frets with the letter symbolizing note. Anyway, the particular set of circles you see placed are supposed to represent(im assuming) the C Major Pentatonic Scale. Now, what is confusing me, is if you look on the fretboard image, the circles with "C" in them, are a bit darker than the others, does that mean they're apart of the C Major Pentatonic Scale or all the rest of the notes being shown are. That's what confusing me.

Help please, because I'm sure its not as hard as I'm making it out to be (maybe memorization, but understanding, I hope not).

Help please, because this is fucking me up.

[Kenneh]

The C is darker due to the fact that it is a "root note," AKA the note of the scale you're using. Now, the root note is important because its one of the best and easiest ways to start and end a solo (try it, you'll get it in time).

All of what is labeled is a part of the C Pentatonic Minor scale. The darker circles are just to emphasize what key you're in (C, for this example).

You can play this scale over a song that is in C major, or in A minor (if you will study about music theory, you would learn that the minor scale is actually derived from the major scale, being one of the musical modes called Aeolian, but don't worry about this now)

[fabz]

Jon, there is a lot more to music than just looking at a website and putting it together. The guitar has been simplified over the years because of the internet but there's a whole explanation of what scales are and why they are important. Music comes naturally to lots of people and just because you have a guitar and a website doesnt mean its going to click right away.

Also the C is darker because that's where you start.

If I get time I'll record this and show you.

[JonC]

I get what the darker shaded C is for. It's the root note. But fabz when you say, its darker because thats where I start. So, with the link I posted above, so, all of the notes shown are part of the scale listed? I hate to be a noob, but this is really confusing.

I know there is more to music than to looking at a website and putting it together. But right now, its pretty much the only resource I have. Maybe I should buy some books on it, but I haven't any cash to do so. Or, I could ask my step-dad, I'm pretty sure he knows about all of this.

But that'd be awesome if you could record and show me this so I can get a better understanding.

[Kenneh]

I get what the darker shaded C is for. It's the root note. But fabz when you say, its darker because thats where I start. So, with the link I posted above, so, all of the notes shown are part of the scale listed? I hate to be a noob, but this is really confusing.

yes

[drunkchuck]

Jon, there is a lot more to music than just looking at a website and putting it together. The guitar has been simplified over the years because of the internet but there's a whole explanation of what scales are and why they are important. Music comes naturally to lots of people and just because you have a guitar and a website doesnt mean its going to click right away.

Also the C is darker because that's where you start.

If I get time I'll record this and show you.

The C is the tonic, or the root note, but is not necessarily where you have to start or end. Most progressions will resolve at the tonic, so it is easiest to build up tension with some other notes and then resolve at C in this case. However, be careful, because I know that I took advantage of this and found myself ending all my little licks and solos with the tonic, making me very repetitive. Ginger, you probably don't have to worry about this, as a beginner, but I recommend that you experiment with ending at other notes. Bending up to the 5th is always a good one, works best in a minor key though.

[cabhats]

Aren't the ones at GOSK (http://www.gosk.com) a lot simpler?

I've also been learning the theory part of it (online too coz I'm too lazy to find real books), but it's kind of a big thing to learn, and it takes time and patience. It does become a lot easier once you understand more theory, I'm too n00b to explain it though.

[JonC]

Well, I didn't even check the scale section at GOSK. Now that I did, they are a bit easier to understand I think.

So, on this image:

http://www.gosk.com/img/scales/major_1.gif

It says the Major Ionian scale, right? Well, the image above is supposed to be position 1. So, basically, all of those notes its signifying to play are apart of the Major Ionian scale, position one? Thus meaning I can play any of those notes shown and it'd fit?

[fabz]

The C is the tonic, or the root note, but is not necessarily where you have to start or end. Most progressions will resolve at the tonic, so it is easiest to build up tension with some other notes and then resolve at C in this case. However, be careful, because I know that I took advantage of this and found myself ending all my little licks and solos with the tonic, making me very repetitive. Ginger, you probably don't have to worry about this, as a beginner, but I recommend that you experiment with ending at other notes. Bending up to the 5th is always a good one, works best in a minor key though.

He's trying to learn scales not solo. He's needs to understand the concrete before he can build his house out of metal.


JonC when I get home, I'll record some scales and give you an idea on what to do and what scales are. It should put things in better perspective.

edit:
PTdSLs55IW8

[exetra]

Ionian mode = Major scale and Aeolian mode = Minor scale. Don't get yourself worrying about other modes until you understand Major and Minor scales, none of the other modes are used extensively (if at all) in modern western music anyway.

[Kenneh]

Well, I didn't even check the scale section at GOSK. Now that I did, they are a bit easier to understand I think.

So, on this image:

http://www.gosk.com/img/scales/major_1.gif

It says the Major Ionian scale, right? Well, the image above is supposed to be position 1. So, basically, all of those notes its signifying to play are apart of the Major Ionian scale, position one? Thus meaning I can play any of those notes shown and it'd fit?
Yes, as long as you're playing over a major progression. If you play it over a minor progression of the same key, chances are it wouldn't fit very well. If I was you I'd worry about remembering the scales first, rather than going to the solos.

[fabz]

Since you opened this can of worms, I'm gonna make like JonC and post a shit load.

The first thing to understand about music is the alphabet of music. It's only 7 letters and it goes from A-G. (ABCDEFG in case you're a tard) The letters represent notes and in between the notes there are sharps and flats. # or b. (I can't do a flat symbol it's basically a lower case b) Here's the confusing part, sharps and flats are sometimes the same, for instance G# is the same as Ab. It gets more complicated but we're not going to really worry about for right now. The main thing you understand is sharps, flats and naturals. (neither a sharp or a flat for instance just A)

The first thing to understanding your guitar is tuning it.
From the thinnest string to the thickest string the guitar is typically tuned:

E
B
G
D
A
E

If you didn't get a guitar tuner with your all inclusive package I highly recommend getting one. I also recommend a Chromatic tuner because then later on you can experiment with open tunings and cool stuff. (see When the Levee Breaks)

Now that you have a guitar and its tuned, we can take a look at some tabs to get you started. A lot of "real players" hate tabs because it dumbs down the guitar, but I think it's an invaluable tool to help even the biggest retard understand the guitar and hopefully create something.

Let's do a really really easy song that a lot of people know. The Beginning to "Wish You were Here" by Pink Floyd. This is by far one of the most overplayed songs by learning guitarists because it's easy and you can recognize the song almost immediately.

tro:
Strum a few Times Strum a few Times
^V^ ^V^
e---------------------3-------------------3---|
B---------------------3-------------------3---|
G---------------------0-------0-----------0---|
D-----------0--2----0----2-----2--------0---| * 2
A-----0h2------------2-------------------2---|
E---3-----------------x-------------------3---|

Strum a few Times Strum a few Times
^V^ ^V^
e---------------------3--------------------------------3---|
B---------------------3--------------------------------3---|
G---------------------0--------------------------------2---|
D----------0--2-------0------2-----0----------------2---| * 2
A----0h2------------2------------------2-------0---0---|
E--3-----------------x--------------------------------0---|
It's not perfect because the format of the forums but you can get the idea.

You start on the third fret of the bottom E string, this note is called G. When you see the numbers align you are supposed to strum the chord. The "h" stands for hammer on and it means that you are to hit the string and then apply the a finger to the next fret on that string.

I know this is way off topic, but scales are really down the road. Try this out and let me know how it goes Jon...you big ginger douche.

[Casalen]

I know it's not common for guitar players (exclusively), but can you read sheet music at all? If you learn at least a little bit of it, it will make scales and composing in general extremely much easier to understand. Doing that will also allow you to understand the general theory rather than how to do certain things on a certain instrument. Actually, there's one bit of advice; study theory, not just guitar.

[JonC]

Since you opened this can of worms, I'm gonna make like JonC and post a shit load.

The first thing to understand about music is the alphabet of music. It's only 7 letters and it goes from A-G. (ABCDEFG in case you're a tard) The letters represent notes and in between the notes there are sharps and flats. # or b. (I can't do a flat symbol it's basically a lower case b) Here's the confusing part, sharps and flats are sometimes the same, for instance G# is the same as Ab. It gets more complicated but we're not going to really worry about for right now. The main thing you understand is sharps, flats and naturals. (neither a sharp or a flat for instance just A)

The first thing to understanding your guitar is tuning it.
From the thinnest string to the thickest string the guitar is typically tuned:

E
B
G
D
A
E

If you didn't get a guitar tuner with your all inclusive package I highly recommend getting one. I also recommend a Chromatic tuner because then later on you can experiment with open tunings and cool stuff. (see When the Levee Breaks)

Now that you have a guitar and its tuned, we can take a look at some tabs to get you started. A lot of "real players" hate tabs because it dumbs down the guitar, but I think it's an invaluable tool to help even the biggest retard understand the guitar and hopefully create something.

Let's do a really really easy song that a lot of people know. The Beginning to "Wish You were Here" by Pink Floyd. This is by far one of the most overplayed songs by learning guitarists because it's easy and you can recognize the song almost immediately.

tro:
Strum a few Times Strum a few Times
^V^ ^V^
e---------------------3-------------------3---|
B---------------------3-------------------3---|
G---------------------0-------0-----------0---|
D-----------0--2----0----2-----2--------0---| * 2
A-----0h2------------2-------------------2---|
E---3-----------------x-------------------3---|

Strum a few Times Strum a few Times
^V^ ^V^
e---------------------3--------------------------------3---|
B---------------------3--------------------------------3---|
G---------------------0--------------------------------2---|
D----------0--2-------0------2-----0----------------2---| * 2
A----0h2------------2------------------2-------0---0---|
E--3-----------------x--------------------------------0---|
It's not perfect because the format of the forums but you can get the idea.

You start on the third fret of the bottom E string, this note is called G. When you see the numbers align you are supposed to strum the chord. The "h" stands for hammer on and it means that you are to hit the string and then apply the a finger to the next fret on that string.

I know this is way off topic, but scales are really down the road. Try this out and let me know how it goes Jon...you big ginger douche.

I haven't tried "Wish You Were Here" yet, though I guess I could. But I think I understand the scale stuff a bit mroe now. Oh and by the way, I know the musical alphabet is A-G, and how to tune my guitar(not by ear yet, I've been tuning it to a piano). Thanks though. Oh and thanks for the video also, it helped a bit. (And I nkow how to read tabs too, haha)

[innerearth]

Pleas dont learn to play music from an internet forum. As for the drak notes, they are the Key that the scale is in.

[fabz]

Pleas dont learn to play music from an internet forum. As for the drak notes, they are the Key that the scale is in.

I really don't see how this different then seeing a guitar teacher. Jon is asking for knowledge from people that are skilled.

Jon I don't know how you are progressing but this is for people that are reading this and don't know what to do next.

I am listening to Jack Johnson's song "All at once" and in the song there is actually no guitar solo to speak of, but the chord progression is simple enough that even the biggest jackass with a guitar and an ear can pick out a line or two. And the most advanced player can realize that there is a lot of empty space to fill in and what not and really add something to the song.

I was just using the blues scale and messing around. I'll post as far as a recording goes a little later.

[JonC]

Thanks fabz. I havne't had a chance to really put to what you said, to use or whatever. Though, I have been practicing on my guitar every day and I have been getting better. Here soon, when I get some extra cash, I'm going to buy a book on guitar scales, one which actually goes into depth and all that jazz.

Oh and I hate guitar tabs by the way. Just felt like saying that.

[cabhats]

I am listening to Jack Johnson's song "All at once" and in the song there is actually no guitar solo to speak of, but the chord progression is simple enough that even the biggest jackass with a guitar and an ear can pick out a line or two. And the most advanced player can realize that there is a lot of empty space to fill in and what not and really add something to the song.


A lot of Jack Johnson songs are kinda like that. They're fun to play too. I haven't tried that particular one yet though.

Well, from an economic perspective you'll gain more from a guitar teacher because you pay for it, so not only should you be taking it more seriously, it will also be better quality.
Don't get me wrong, The stuff you've explained there is excellent, I'm learning too at the moment and I found it really helpful. However, a one-on-one lesson where someone can explain your questions straight away, and demonstrate what you should be doing is far easier to learn from. Plus you don't have to sift through lots of text to get the good bits, or worry about someone teaching you the wrong thing, and you don't have to decide which persons point of view to learn from.


Oh and I hate guitar tabs by the way. Just felt like saying that.

I agree. They dumb it down too much and don't make you think about the notes you're playing like real sheet music does.

[thisiswhoiam]

I just recently bought an electric guitar 4 days ago and I am wondering what are some good tabs(besides jinge bells and ode to joy) for beginners.

[cabhats]

I just recently bought an electric guitar 4 days ago and I am wondering what are some good tabs(besides jinge bells and ode to joy) for beginners.

If you're going to take guitar seriously I recommend sourcing some real sheet music and learning the notes and whatnot rather than tabs. It makes theory and stuff a lot easier.

If you must have tabs look on ultimate-guitar (http://www.ultimate-guitar.com).
Tabs for beginners to learn (well where I started) are songs by bands along the lines of Green Day and Nirvana.
But seriously don't depend on tabs too much if you want to get somewhere.