Learning scales quicker

by keithmark13

16 May 2009

Learning Scales(quicker memorization)

When I first started to learn scales there was a technique I was taught that was taught to me while I was learning them. Not for the purpose of learning the scale, but I found that I could memorize them quicker by using this technique.

I call it a pattern. I'm sure there's a technical term for it though. First you start with any scale at all.

We'll start with the C ionian(major) scale. The 3 note per string scales was the first scale I noticed the increased fluency in using the scale by playing it by using this pattern.

C Major ascending(this is a shifted version that i use in my playing) Its still the same as C major
*=where the pattern establishes itself and where you should notice it begin to "repeat" or cycle through the scale.




e|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

B|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

G|--------------------------------------------------------------------------9--------------9-10-12*-|

D|-----------------------------------------9---------------9-10-12*-9-10-12---12-10-9-10-12---------|

A|--------8---------------8-10-12*-8-10-12---12-10-8-10-12------------------------------------------|

E|8-10-12---12-10-8-10-12---------------------------------------------------------------------------|





e|--------------------------------------------10----------------10-12-13-----|

B|--------10---------------10-12-13*-10-12-13----13-12-10-12-13--------------|

G|9-10-12----12-10-9-10-12---------------------------------------------------|

D|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

A|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

C Major descending




e|13-12-10----10-12-13-12-10-------------------------------------------------|

B|---------13----------------13-12-10*-13-12-10----10-12-13-12-10------------|

G|----------------------------------------------12----------------12-10-9*---|

D|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

A|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|



e|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

B|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

G|12-10-9----9-10-12-10-9--------------------------------------------------------------------------|

D|--------12--------------12-10-9*-12-10-9----9-10-12-10-9-----------------------------------------|

A|-----------------------------------------12--------------12-10-8*-12-10-8----8-10-12-10-8--------|

E|--------------------------------------------------------------------------12--------------12-10-8|

This can be used for any scale/mode. Why I believe this helps learn the scale faster is that the muscle memory is triggered faster and it makes you think more of what you are doing and your mind recognizes it better.

Good luck.
Hope it helps.

Comments:

01
05.18.2009

JazzMaverick

Erm, no offence here, but you've pretty much taken one of my lessons and just based it on the major scale. I don't think this is necessary. Try taking a look at other lessons (a lot to go through, I know) and make sure the lesson isn't already written out in a similar way.

02
05.18.2009

guitarmastergod

also the scale thing itself was taken from jeff loomis' DVD super shred guitar from guitar world. it exactly the same. from the key to the note to note part to the 3 NPS part

03
05.18.2009

keithmark13

To Jazz: My sincerest apologies, i was not aware that there was anything similar or like this on here, i mean no disrespect.

To Guitarmastergod: I haven't seen that, nor was I aware, but keep this in mind, how many people use the same techniques? The same ideas to learn something? The same patterns? I learned it from my teacher, and i figured i'd put it in C because there is no flat or sharps, so once again my apologies.

One of the mods can remove this lesson.

04
06.18.2009

guitarplayer2571

whats the big deal are we copyrighting lessons one here? lol the way i see it the more info available the better :0)

05
06.28.2009

nursefella

Erm, get over yourself! Good tip by the way Keith.

06
12.18.2009

jdostermanjr

Hey, glad no one removed this lol...I'm a complete beginner, and short posts like this that I can get my head around and do something with right away are a big help. Thx. - JD