Here we will look at how to play the major scale on the guitar. We will use the C major scale as the first example, since it contains no sharps or flats:
Listen:
Since it is not entirely functional to play a scale on a single string, we can find the notes of this scale across all strings on the guitar. If we start on C on the 3rd fret of the 5th string, we can come up with the following pattern:
Listen:
Or we could play it with the root note on the 6th string starting at the 8th fret and come up with another pattern:
Listen:
These two fingering patterns are to be memorized. You must also practice them in different positions up and down the fingerboard.
To play a major scale in any other key, simply move these patterns up or down the fretboard to the appropriate place.
For example, to play G major, you could start the second pattern (Fig 18.) at the 3rd fret on the 6th string, which is a G (root note). You could also play the first pattern (Fig 17.) at the 10th fret on the 5th string, as this is also a G.
