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Six Strings

The fretboard map

Notes, steps and intervals.

  1. Notes on the low stringsName every natural note on the 6th and 5th strings, and understand semitones and whole tones.
  2. Intervals and root notesMeasure distance between notes in semitones and name it.Builds on: Notes on the low strings

Major and minor scales

Your first complete scales.

  1. The major scaleThe formula, one practical fingering and a first melody.Builds on: Intervals and root notes
  2. The natural minor scaleCompare minor to major and see why A minor and C major share notes.Builds on: The major scale

Pentatonic and blues scales

Five-note scales and five positions.

  1. Minor pentatonic: box 1The five-note scale behind most rock and blues lead guitar.Builds on: The natural minor scale
  2. Major pentatonic and the blues scaleThe same shapes with a different home, and one extra note for tension.Builds on: Minor pentatonic: box 1
  3. Five pentatonic positionsCover the neck with five connected boxes.Builds on: Minor pentatonic: box 1

Picking and melody

Play scales cleanly and turn them into music.

  1. Alternate picking and scale sequencesPlay scales evenly and practise them in patterns.Builds on: The major scale
  2. Making melodic phrasesTurn scale notes into question-and-answer melodies.Builds on: The major scale

The whole neck

One scale, seven connected positions.

  1. The major scale in seven positionsStart the scale from each of its seven notes and the whole neck connects.Builds on: The major scale, The natural minor scale, Five pentatonic positions, Alternate picking and scale sequences

Practical checkpoint

Module 2 checkpoint: name it, find it, play it

Without looking at a diagram, work through the criteria below. Use a metronome at 60 to 80 BPM for the playing items. Say the note names out loud as you play.

You are ready for the next module when you can honestly say:

  • I can find any natural note on the low E and A strings in under three seconds.
  • I can play the G major scale in position, up and down, with alternate picking at 70 BPM.
  • I can play A natural minor and say how it relates to C major.
  • I can play all five A minor pentatonic positions and name the root notes in each.
  • I can play a four-bar melody of my own, ending on the root.

10 lessons in this module are not complete yet. You can still attempt the checkpoint whenever you like.