Free guitar theory lessons focused on the major scale for guitar. These are shown in parts to teach you each of the positions or modes of the major scale and how to play each of them on the fretboard. A lot of the music theory in these articles is general and works for any instrument, but the focus here is on how to play them on guitar.
Major Scale Introduction Lesson for Guitar There are basically 12 notes in music. So all modern music is based out of those 12 notes. All scales are born out of those 12 notes as well. These 12 notes are part of the chromatic scale. It would be safe to say that all the scales in…
Before you get started, let me point out that the last lesson ended with an example of the major scale in G. I’ll will continue to teach you the rest of modes of the major scale based in G. I will be sticking to G because it’s a very popular key. Not only that, but…
The Dorian Mode is based on the second note of the Major Scale. In the key of G the second note of the scale is A, therefore this would be played as the A Dorian Mode. To play this mode in the key of G, begin by playing the first note at the 6th string…
The Phrygian Mode is based around the third note of the major scale. In the key of G, this 3rd note is B. So this will be played as the B Phrygian Mode. To play the B Phrygian Mode you will start with the first note at the 6th string 7th fret. The Phrygian Mode…
The Lydian Mode is based on the fourth note of the major scale. In the key of G, this 4th note would be C. This is one of the modes that I mentioned shares the same pattern as a different mode. If you look closely, you’ll notice that the pattern is the same as that…
The Mixolydian Mode is based on the fifth note of the major scale. In the key of G, the 5th note is D. D is a perfect 5th of G, so it sounds very good. This is a very popular mode for many rock players. To play the D Mixolydian Mode, start with the first…
The major scale sixth position is based on the shape of the Aelian mode. The Aeolian mode itself is based on the sixth degree of the major scale. In the key of G, this note is E. Note that the 6th note of the major scale is the relative minor. So guess what? The Aeolian…
The Locrian Mode is based around the 7th note of the major scale. In the G of key, this 7th note is F#. This is the other mode that shares the same pattern as another mode. Look closely. This is the same pattern as the Ionian mode but has that extra note at the beginning…
The Major Key – All positions of the major scale put together. This is it! Now that you know every position of the major scale it’s time to put them all together as one big entity. Look closely at the diagram below. See how all the positions and mode patterns interject. Notice that the notes on…