how to memorize scales?

well i'd like to know if there is any good way to memorize scales more easily.(i'm talking about the full patterns on the finger-board)

first of all the major scale. -->i started to learn the major scale with c as the root-note by heart, so that when i succed it'll be easy to switch/transpose to any other root(and mode of course). however, i've got some problemes to find a good way to master that big piece of information, is there a posibility to split it up into easier steps,
-->for example to learn first the fingerings in position I then in position II, III, IV,V and so on; or just doing two strings until you know them and than add one by one...?
i'll be glad for any advice!
sophie

Hi Sophie,

What a challenge (memorizing all the different scale patterns and arpeggios and chord fingerings, etc.! But all players grapple with these same problems(you're not alone!) Years ago I learned a system for organizing and memorizing all of the different fingering patterns on the guitar (it's called the 'CAGED' system, where I practice my scale, arps, & chord fingerings 'around' familiar barre chord shapes)...You can google 'CAGED guitar' and read up on it.

Another suggestion I have for you is a totally different thing! Great for your ear. Challenging and fun! Start with the open 6th string and, with a metronome to pace you (very, VERY, slow at first!), play the notes of the E major scale 'by ear', switching to the next higher string 'when it feels right', until you reach the 21st fret on the 1st string (c#). Then, go 'back down' the scale until you reach the open 6th string again. Don't worry about what fingers your using (try it using just one finger if you want!).

Okay, here's the tough part...if you make a mistake (and you'll hear it when you do), you have to start over! Not only that; you are not allowed to play it the same way twice!!! (NO CHEATING!!!ha-ha)

That exercise is a real tough one, but fun at the same time! The goal is not to memorize the fingering, but let your fingers 'feel' there way to the next correct note. Once you master that (a month or 2?), then 'speed up' the metronome!

This 'ear' exercise, coupled with the hours of repetitious practicing of various scale finger patterns should get you where you want to be 'sooner than later'(no shortcut to 'woodshedding').

Oh yeah, the most important thing...

HAVE FUN!!!

Good luck!

i found it really easy to memorize a scale by breaking it up by frets. Then putting it all together. I learned the Blues scale in a few days like this.

i write in google the "CAGED guitar", i don't understand something, there are lot of dots on the fretboard. So haw to group them? help! what they mean?

like boldaslove said i think it is easier to break the scale up into sections, learning each section by just playing them over and over, then putting all of the sections together to make up the full scale its quick and easy.

http://www.guitarstuff.com/lessons/majscale/majscale.html

Those are patterns of the major scale. If you look at them, they connect together..to make one big scale.

http://www.guitarstuff.com/lessons/majmode/majmode.html

Those include all of the patterns for every mode of the major scale.

My way is I learn them in blocks. memorize 5 blocks of 4 fret reaches and then peace them together and remember wich scale belongs to what fret. like you see a shape on a fret and automatically know "oh, thats B major because thats a major shape on the 7th fret." and if you memorize the order that comes after and before that shape then you can improvise much better. Or you could learn them one string at a time like Joe Satriani.