[rapter]

I have been practicing my 5 positions for the major scale, more specifcally the G major scale. Each position is the two octave scale, now I see three note per string scales. I know they are the same notes i.e. G major. What is the advantage of some three note per string scales? How important is it to know the letter names of each note of a scale? I can randomly improvise with the pentatonics until I hear the right notes when playing along in a progression. Which brings me to another question. How do you use your scales?

Is there a correct way to use a major or minor scale, for example would you want to record a progression that is diatonic to the scale being used and improvise that exact scale to create a melody. I use some backing tracks and play in that key.

I don't mean purposely to sound fragmented in my thoughts but if one question was used, how and what is the right way to practice and use scales? Thank you for your thoughts on this subject.

[felixdcat]

Originally Posted by solidwalnut

So if we know all of the names of the notes all over the fretboard, how does that help us play the instrument?

I don't do it, but I do know that some people learn the notes, and then they build scales etc. It's a lot harder way, tho.

[solidwalnut]

Originally Posted by felixdcat

I don't do it, but I do know that some people learn the notes, and then they build scales etc. It's a lot harder way, tho.

Yeah, I'm sure that it's helpful to some people. Like those who know theory well and who can then use that knowledge to help them learn neck. I guess my whole point is that the guitar is a mechanical, chord based instrument and it's helpful to approach it that way, I believe. Whatever works.

Steve

[Noodler]

If you want to play the chord tones of F#m up around the 9th fret, doesn't it help to know where to find a C# in a hurry? Or an A? Would you even dream of not knowing all the notes on the E string?

I find it helpful to know a bit about the notes as well as the shapes. Knowing the notes of some scales helps me like this:

Say if I am playing in A, I know the sharps are F#, C# and G#. So although Cm or Dm may work in some contexts, the scale chord is C#m. It also means I know which notes are accidentals when improvising using the major scale.

It also means that if I am hearing an F# and want to play an F# (which is an ability that comes and goes with me, and which is usually best straight after a lesson), I just play an F#.

To me it is just as much work to remember the chord shapes all over the neck as it is to go "such and such a chord is spelt this way" and look for the notes.

Having said that, I learned shapes first, before the names and degrees, just like everyone else.

[solidwalnut]

Originally Posted by Noodler

If you want to play the chord tones of F#m up around the 9th fret, doesn't it help to know where to find a C# in a hurry? Or an A? Would you even dream of not knowing all the notes on the E string?

I find it helpful to know a bit about the notes as well as the shapes. Knowing the notes of some scales helps me like this:

Say if I am playing in A, I know the sharps are F#, C# and G#. So although Cm or Dm may work in some contexts, the scale chord is C#m. It also means I know which notes are accidentals when improvising using the major scale.

It also means that if I am hearing an F# and want to play an F# (which is an ability that comes and goes with me, and which is usually best straight after a lesson), I just play an F#.

To me it is just as much work to remember the chord shapes all over the neck as it is to go "such and such a chord is spelt this way" and look for the notes.

Having said that, I learned shapes first, before the names and degrees, just like everyone else.

Like you said, I picture shapes first. I actually do know all the note names on the fretboard, but if I wanted a C# around the ninth fret, I would be thinking the fifth degree of an F# in the A form barre rather than just a static shot at finding the C#. It can be done, but I learned, and I guess I always will have and use, the notes on the E and A strings and associated shapes as anchors.

Where my knowledge would expand and benefit from in this regard is to apply the same form anchor technique with the shapes on the G, B and E strings. Although I have to some degree, I could be better at that.

Steve

[Noodler]

I am finding it helpful to be more automatic about knowing the notes from say the 8th to the 12 fret beacuse it seems to be where my guitar teacher plays most. It helps me to remember what he is teaching me (say a solo), because he just plays it by ear and I copy. It is easier to remember things as "starts on G" rather than 8th fret B string, because he moves fast so we cover a lot of ground. He usually doesn't like me writing things down for some reason!? He seems to think it's too slow.

As you rightly say, it is good to be able to know the notes on the A string and work out the names of the notes on the others by octaves (2 strings and frets up). I find it even quicker to remember the locations of more notes on those strings and use them as anchors. Especially notes like E (9th fret G string), G (8th fret B string), A (10th fret B string), F# (11th fret G string). It gives me more anchors beacuse I need to know the name of the next note within one beat. In fact, I'd say it is worth remembering the names of the naturals on those other strings (like the C, D and E on the G string), so that they're automatic, and you can work the rest out very quickly. I figure if you can learn the names of the notes on the E and A strings so they're automatic, why not the rest?...(just talking about me there, not saying you don't know your notes SW!)

The reason I am going down this route is because my teacher always gets me thinking about how the melody relates to the chords. I find it easier to remember stuff by name, and it is more meaningful to me that when the chord changes to an A and the melody goes to C# it is beacuse it is part of the A chord. That's how my teacher approaches it beacuse he is a keyboard player first, and it has been good to know when I play a 6th chord, which note is the 6th, which note is the 3rd rather than just knowing a shape and strumming it. It's been an education, and if my teacher was a guitarist first and foremost, I'd probably not know that stuff.

[rapter]

I appreciate your input as all the others who have replied, and also like the way you have put some thought in your answer. I am now learning intervals (among other guitar related material), and will be learning to find them within a scale pattern using all six strings if possible. I want to improvise and also play melody according to an original piece of music, that is why I ask about scale tones, arpeggios, leading notes etc. I do not know all of these to use them fluently, but my interest in the guitar keeps me going. Have a good one.