Twelve C Major Scales

Most tones on the guitar can be found in several positions on the fretboard. Because of this there are numerous ways to play any scale. Below are twelve versions of the same C major scale, the first four are rooted at the 3rd fret of the 5th string. Pattern 1 and 3 include open strings and each spans 4 strings. Additionally, pattern 3 comprises 2 notes per string. Pattern 2 is played in a single hand position spanning three strings, and pattern 4 comprises 4 notes on each of two strings;

The next four are rooted on the 8th fret of the 6th string. Pattern 5 and 7 each span 4 strings. Additionally, pattern 7 comprises 2 notes per string. Pattern 6 is played in a single hand position spanning three strings, and pattern 8 comprises 4 notes on each of two strings;

Pattens 9 and 10 are both based on the same fingering, 9 is rooted on the 3rd fret/5th string, and 10 is rooted on the 8th fret/6th string. Patterns 11 and 12 are each played on a single string;

Pay close attention to the indicated fingering, being careful to use the same fingering ascending and descending.

All contents of this blog are © Mark Newstetter

Crazy Zig-zag Lightning Bolt Major Scale

Deconstructing  the contrary motion pattern in the last entry, we can see that the lower line is actually an interesting scale form in its own right.

You can think of this zig-zag pattern as a lightning bolt. What's nice about this pattern is that it moves in the opposite direction of most scale patterns in that the higher pitched notes are lower on the fretboard.

Looking at the pattern in the key of C as a descending line, it begins at the 5th fret, 3rd string; what, in Fretography, is called the Center C. From there you play B on the same string, then two notes on each string to the low C as shown in the diagram and notation.

The 2-note-per-string approach to scales can be applied to all seven modes of every key.

Organizing the scale this way connects fret positions in an unusual way. You shift up the frets while moving lower in pitch. It is one of twelve standard Fretography® fingering patterns for the C major scale in this octave. In the next entry we'll look at all twelve patterns.

All contents of this blog are © Mark Newstetter

More Contrary Motion

Here's another way to play a contrary motion scale. Unlike the previous pattern, the note positions are not symmetrical, but it is possible to play all the notes in groups of two within accessible hand positions. Let's call this an 'asymmetrical pattern - rooted on the 3rd string.'

The diagram below shows how the pattern is arrayed on the fretboard.

Because it is so complex, a single diagram cannot adequately illustrate the sequence of this pattern. Below is a step by step diagram of the entire scale (click on the image for a larger version);

And finally, here is tablature and notation for the pattern including fingering;

All contents of this blog are © Mark Newstetter