How to Switch Scales on Guitar

Whether you are working up your new solo or are looking for a way to enhance your guitar skills, learning the different scales on the guitar is the first step. Understanding this theory will allow you to play like a pro and will allow you to please any crowd.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Guitar

1. Find your boxes. Every scale, as well as every chord and pattern on the guitar, starts with boxes that move from one fret to another. You will want to find where your foundation or first note is, then find the same note by going to a higher string and a higher fret. The pattern is always two strings up and two frets over.

2. Set your intervals. Once you know what box to play in, you can build a pattern from intervals. The interval spacings should be in whole steps (W) and half steps (H). For the major scale, they will be: W, W, H, W, W, W, H. For the minor scale, the intervals are W, H, W, W, H, W, W.

3. Switch the box. You can now take the same pattern of the scale and switch it to a different set of notes. You will know what the scale is because the foundation note, or lowest note you play, is also the name of the scale. As long as you keep this pattern, it will allow you to switch the scales.

4. Learn where all of your foundation notes are. Once you are able to keep the same pattern in each of the boxes, you can figure out which scale, or pattern, you are playing. Knowing what to move up to and focus on will allow you to transfer your scales in the correct way.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the right combination of frets and strings when building your scale. The first string will play two notes, the second string will play three notes and the third string will play three notes. This will allow you to stay in the right box.