Basic Scales

Scales are the basic building blocks of lead style playing. Here are some of the most basic scales. I tried to put these lessons in the order of scales I show my students.

Pre-scale Exercises
Blues Scale- If you only learn 1 scale, learn this one.
Minor Pentatonic Scales- This will get you out of "the box" and on up the neck.
Basic Scales- After the Minor Pentatonic and Blues scales, try the Minor scale.
More Scales- Explore and have fun.
Scale finder- Want to see what a certain scale looks like? Go here.

When you first start out you will probably use downstrokes only until you feel comfortable with the scale. Once you have the scale memorized, alternate the downstrokes with upstrokes. This makes the job a bit harder but you'll notice that you can go faster since your picking hand is doing half the work. (The downstroke/upstroke habit is a good one to get into for all lead playing)

Another useful thing to keep in mind is the fingering you use for your fretting hand. Notice that your index finger did not move from its location and stays anchored to a fret for the majority of these scales. Whenever your solos are in the same location on the fretboard, you should try to keep the same fingers over certain frets. For example: If most of your solo is between the 5th and 8th fret, anchor your index finger on the 5th fret, middle finger on 6, etc. This will make you a little faster in those ripping solos.

It is a good idea to work with a metronome on these to keep a steady pace going. Once you sound good at one speed move it up a little faster. Keep increasing the speed and pushing yourself. Have fun.

Back Home

Back to Lesson 5(No Frames)

Guitar Lessons / Guitar Links / Eric's MP3's / Eric's GuitArt /
Sign Guestbook / View Guestbook / E-Mail Eric