The Beginner’s Guide to Guitar Scales
Learning how to read guitar scales on your own is difficult but not entirely impossible. You have to be patient and persevering, however, because it can be very confusing at the start.
Finger Positioning
When playing the guitar, it’s essential that you’re using the correct or appropriate fingers for the right notes. Yes, you can still play a song fairly beautifully even with improper finger positioning, but don’t expect this to happen all the time. Moreover, incorrect positions would make it more difficult for your fingers to move from one position to another and maintain the required speed or tempo for the song.
1 – Index Finger 4 – Pinky Finger
2 – Middle Finger 0 – Play your note open; do not use any frets
3 – Ring Finger
Frets
No doubt the last word has caught your attention. Frets are the space in the neck area of your guitar. More specifically, it’s the space between metal strips. The second fret, for instance, would be the second space between the strips.
Strings
Another system you’d have to memorize in order to read guitar scales properly is the notes that each guitar string corresponds to. Compared to the number of keys of a piano, a guitar’s strings are a lot fewer and consequently easier to commit memory.
First String – E Fourth String – D
Second String – B Fifth String – A
Third String – G Sixth String – E
Starting with the Basics: The Chromatic Scale
The Chromatic scale is the most beginner-friendly of all guitar scales and thus the best scale to begin your lessons. It is made up of a dozen successive half-steps. If you try playing it out, the scale could seem too simple and boring to learn, but mastering this scale is actually critical to your foundation. Here are a few tips to start playing the chromatic scale (using the E key).
Step 1 Begin by playing your sixth string open.
Step 2 Press the first fret of the sixth string down using your index finger then pluck the sixth string once more.
Step 3 Press the second fret of the same string using the middle finger and pluck once more.
Step 4 Move to your guitar’s third fret. Press it down with your ring finger then pluck again.
Step 5 Look for the fourth fret and press it down with your pinkie finger and pluck again.
Repeat the entire sequence for subsequent strings until you get everything right. Then and only then should you move on to the next scales. Happy plucking!
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