EXCERPT 2

The Major scale is just one of 22 scales or modes that are commonly used in contemporary music. Pages 6 through 26 will show you how each of these scales are built. It is recommended that you work on each new scale presented in 3 ways. First, digest the information presented about the structure of the scale, then move to the corresponding section and write out the scale in all keys. Then use the progressions to work on improvising. When you are ready, transpose these progressions to all keys. Be creative and try to come up with other chord progressions that would work with each scale presented. Be Patient and allow yourself time. This is a rigorous course of study and should take the average student a year to complete, with consistent application. You may find that you start to run into chords that you don't know as you get into more complicated scales. It is recommended that you use Chord Workbook for Guitar Volume One ISBN # 09648632-1-9 to gain knowledge of chord voicings needed for this book. This book will also give you more information on common usages for each chord, increasing your knowledge of where you can use the scale presented here.

By knowing the interval pattern you can play any scale. The following pages will give you the interval patterns for 22 of the most used scales. There are a couple of possible ways to memorize the structure of a scale. The aforementioned method of memorizing a scale's interval pattern will certainly help you figure out any scale. Once you have memorized the major scales you could also use an alternate method to help you learn the other 21 scales: If you think of what alterations a scale has in comparison to C major i.e. (C Dorian has a flatted 3rd and 7th, you will be able to relate each new scale to a scale you already know. Once you have memorized the 7 modes of major: Major, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian you can use these scales to help you memorize other scales. For instance if you want to learn a Dorian b2 scale just flat the second degree of the Dorian scale and you have your new scale. Learning scales using this method will help you master scales quickly because they are relating back to a scale you know while keeping the root the same.