Next, we take another whole step by skipping F# to include G as the 5th note of our scale, before taking another whole step, skipping G# and including A as the 6th note of our scale, and then taking another whole step to include B as the 7th note of the scale. Next, we move up a half step, and as there are no sharps or flats between E and F we include F as a half step up from E, giving us the 4th note of the scale. We then take another whole step which results in us skipping D# and adding E as the third note of the scale. This means we skip C# and include D as the 2nd note (or second scale degree) of the scale. Starting from our tonic of C and referencing the chromatic scale, our C major scale starts on C and then takes a whole step. We’ll demonstrate this with the C Major scale as C is the first chord shape of the CAGED system and also doesn’t contain accidentals (sharps or flats) making it a good introductory scale to get started with. Knowing the step pattern required to construct the major scale we can then construct the major scale in any key, as the key is defined by the starting note (aka tonic). the distance between your 1st and 2nd fret. a single pitch of the Chromatic scale, equal to one fret on the guitar’s fretboard e.g. the distance between the 1st and 3rd fret. This simply means it spans 2 pitches of the Chromatic scale, equal to 2 frets on the guitar fretboard e.g. W is a musical interval (more on this shortly) representing a whole step (aka whole tone). We can build a major scale in any key from the Chromatic scale using the following step pattern: W Building the Major Scale using Step Patterns These 7 notes are derived from the Chromatic scale, the scale that contains the 12 notes used in western music. If this sounds confusing, don’t worry, for the sake of learning the CAGED system the most important thing we need to know is that the major scale is a Diatonic scale, meaning it contains 7 notes comprised of 5 whole steps and 2 half steps before repeating the starting note. one fret) compared to the major scale, making it a minor 3rd. In practice, this means, when compared to the major scale the 3rd note of the scale (3rd scale degree) is flattened a half step (e.g. Otherwise, learning scale theory usually starts with the Major scale as it is the most commonly used scale in music and is the scale on which many other scales and chords are referenced.įor example, the minor scale contains a flat 3rd (along with a flat 6th and 7th).
Guitar chromatic scale how to#
I’ve written fairly extensively on scale construction, and how to incorporate scales into your playing which you can find here. While that’s CAGED scales, in a nutshell, we’ll need to take a closer look at the 5 major scale patterns and how these each connect to take advantage of the CAGED system.īut first, we’ll take a closer look at the major scale, how it is constructed, and why it’s key to learning all other scales. C – A – G – E – or D is adjacent to the next, allowing guitarists to combine scale patterns, providing the freedom to play all over the neck. By learning the 5 scale patterns of CAGED that surround these chord shapes the patterns are then easily transposed into different keys by moving the entire pattern up or down the neck. The CAGED system divides the neck of the guitar into 5 sections, based on the corresponding chord form. To get the most from this article, if you haven’t already I’d suggest starting with a general overview of the CAGED system by clicking here.
Guitar chromatic scale series#
This article is part of a longer series on the CAGED system for guitar and focuses solely on CAGED system scales.
0 kommentar(er)
