The Course
Dive into the world of music with your six strings by mastering the essential building blocks known as major scales. This course is all about getting you comfortable with the foundation every guitar hero needs to know. With easy-to-follow exercises, you'll gain the confidence to navigate the neck of the guitar and develop the muscle memory that's key to fluid playing.
Imagine being able to jam along with your favorite songs, write your own music, or even improvise solos that'll get the crowd cheering! That's where this course will take you. We'll explore how major scales form the backbone of melodies and harmonies, giving you the tools to understand song structures and even the know-how to start composing your own tunes. This isn't just about scales; it's about unlocking a whole new way to express yourself through music, one note at a time.
What you will learn
When crafting this course, I had one thing in mind – to make learning major scales feel like a breeze, especially if you're just starting out on the guitar. Every lesson is laid out in a way that gradually builds up your confidence and knowledge, without overwhelming you with too much jargon or theory right off the bat. You'll find that with the carefully selected exercises and practical applications, not only will you understand how major scales work, but you'll also be able to use them in real music scenarios. This systematic approach ensures that you're not just memorizing patterns, but actually making music, which I believe is the whole point of picking up the guitar in the first place! Trust me, I've been there, and I've tailored this course with the utmost attention to detail, to make your learning journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
What will you learn in this course?
- The music theory behind the major scale
- How to create major scales going up the neck and across the neck
- How to ready my circle of 5ths chart
- How to play the major scale in any key anywhere on the neck
- How to play the major pentatonic scale in any key anywhere on the neck
- How to play the major chord tones in any key anywhere on the neck
- Great practice techniques for these scales
I've included a copy of my scales book
- A digital copy (PDF) of my scales book called "Basic Scales A study of the Ionian and Aeolian Scales". The book is 85 pages long and has charts for the following
- major scales all over the neck in all 12 keys
- major pentatonic scales all over the neck in all 12 keys
- major chord tones all over the neck in all 12 keys
- minor scales all over the neck in all 12 keys
- minor pentatonic scales all over the neck in all 12 keys
- minor chord tones all over the neck in all 12 keys
Curriculum
- What is a pentatonic scale (3:17)
- Major pentatonic scale position 1 (3:36)
- 10 Licks in Major Pentatonic Position 1 (15:25)
- Major pentatonic scale position 2 (4:34)
- Major pentatonic scale position 3 (4:06)
- Major pentatonic scale position 4 (3:38)
- Major pentatonic scale position 5 (3:54)
- How to practice the major pentatonic scale (10:59)
Your instructor
As a Berklee College of Music alumnus with over 24 years of full-time guitar teaching experience, I bring a wealth of knowledge to my students. At the helm of GuitArmy, I have guided over 35,000 learners through their musical journeys, emphasizing the joy and discipline of guitar mastery. My passion for education is as vibrant as the major scales we'll explore together, and my approach is tailored to foster your growth as a musician, whether we're connecting through live Zoom lessons or dynamic online courses.
Joining our community means tapping into the collective experience of a dedicated instructor and a social media family of over 300,000 followers who share your passion for guitar. My commitment to every student’s success is reflected in my engaging teaching style, empowering you to grasp the fundamentals and subtleties of major scales that form the very foundation of music itself. Let's refine your skills, amplify your musical voice, and set the stage for a lifetime of melodic discovery.