So you want to learn how to play guitar, huh? That’s awesome, my friend. Playing an instrument can bring joy, fulfillment, and a sense of accomplishment. But where do you start? With so many scales to choose from, it can be overwhelming. Don’t worry, though. I’ve got you covered. Here are the 6 most common guitar scales:
The Major Scale
The major scale is the mother of all scales. It’s the foundation for many other scales and is used in a variety of musical genres. The major scale is made up of seven notes: tonic, supertonic, mediant, subdominant, dominant, submediant, and leading tone. It has a happy, upbeat sound and is often associated with pop, rock, and country music.
The Minor Scale
The minor scale is the yin to the major scale’s yang. It has a melancholy, darker sound and is often used in blues, rock, and metal music. The minor scale is also made up of seven notes, but it has a different formula than the major scale. Its notes are tonic, supertonic, minor third, fourth, fifth, minor sixth, and minor seventh.
The Pentatonic Scale
The pentatonic scale is a five-note scale that’s widely used in blues, rock, and country music. It has a simple, easy-to-remember structure that makes it great for improvisation. The two most common versions of the pentatonic scale are the minor pentatonic and the major pentatonic.
The Blues Scale
The blues scale is a variation of the pentatonic scale. It adds a “blue” note that gives it its signature sound. The blues scale is often used in blues, rock, and jazz music. It has a soulful, expressive sound and is great for improvisation.
The Dorian Mode
The Dorian mode is one of the seven modes of the major scale. It has a minor sound and is often used in jazz, funk, and rock music. The Dorian mode is made up of the same notes as the natural minor scale, but with a raised sixth. Its notes are tonic, major second, minor third, fourth, fifth, major sixth, and minor seventh.
The Mixolydian Mode
The Mixolydian mode is another one of the seven modes of the major scale. It has a bluesy sound and is often used in blues and rock music. The Mixolydian mode is made up of the same notes as the major scale, but with a lowered seventh. Its notes are tonic, major second, third, fourth, fifth, major sixth, and minor seventh.
So there you have it, my friend. The 6 most common guitar scales. Practice these scales and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a great guitarist. Remember, playing guitar is all about having fun and expressing yourself. So don’t get too caught up in the technical aspects. Just play from your heart and let the music flow.
