Scales

Here you will find printer-friendly fingering patterns for the scales most commonly used to improvise on the guitar.

We have shown the patterns in five positions which we recommend as the most thorough approach to learning scales. Learning them this way should enable you to play in any key at any position on the keyboard.

Learning scales is one thing, learning to use them effectively is another. For this, we strongly recommend you check out our courses which will help you follow a step by step approach to mastering the art of Improvising on the guitar.
Click on a course logo for details




Index of scales

The order in which you should learn scales is important. Please read this free article to help you decide.


 

 

 

 

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Tip of the week

Tip#1 - Lay foundations to learn fast

It's tempting just to hunt out tabs of your favourite guitar solos and learn them note for note, but this is really a very inefficient way to develop your guitar playing skills.

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article

Article#1 - Play badly!

Most guitar teachers would agree that it is a lot easier teaching kids to improvise than adults. The reason for this is that adults hate doing anything badly - they are conditioned to 'do it right' or 'do it properly'. Kids, on the other hand, seem to take the attitude - 'this is fun, what a lot of strange noises I'm making!'

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