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Lesson 15: Major scales in higher positions

This lesson is in the form of a reference chart showing how all the major scales can be located up all the way up the neck at different positions (indicated by Roman numerals).

In fig 15-1, the first two scales (E major & F major), contain open strings and the fingering is given for the first few notes. But the fingering is logical throughout and stays strictly in the indicated position. Every note can be reached by the appropriate finger without changing position

All the scales from F# major to A major and from Bb major to Eb major in fig 15-2 have identical fingering, only the starting position is different as indicated by Roman numerals at the start of each scale. This is a common and very useful scale practice pattern too.

Every key signature up to six flats (Gb major) and six sharps (F# major) is shown. F# major and Gb major scales sound exactly the same, only their notation is different.

Any key with more than 4 sharps or 3 flats is rare in guitar music

Fig 15-1: Two octave major scales E to A


Fig 15-2: Two octave major scales Bb to Eb

Reading Exercise 15

Listen

Further Practice
Now use the 'pitch trainer' tool in the following sectionfor more practice in naming and playing all the notes you've learned so far. Select level 3 (3 octave range ) and "include sharps and flats"

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NOTATION PITCH TRAINER

This flash tool will give you practice at identifying the names and fretboard locations of notes within a given pitch range. Choose the level that suits your present ability. You can also expand each level's difficulty by choosing to include sharps and flats.

Sit back, while holding your guitar, and name and play each note as it appears on the staff. There is no scoring involved - just an unending series of notes on the staff with accompanying sound. The note name is revealed after a few seconds and the note is sounded to confirm (or not) that you've named and located it correctly.

If you feel any level is, or has become, too easy, then it's time to move up to the next level. If you find even the third level too easy, you can increase the difficulty level yourself by restricting yourself to the higher regions of the fretboard.