How to Play Major Scales on a Twelve String Guitar

Video Transcript

"I’m a professional guitar instructor and today we’re discussing the 12 string guitar, and now I’d like to discuss the use of the major scale on the 12 string guitar. The major scale as like all other scales, consist of a pattern of whole and half steps. A whole step on the guitar comes out to be 2 frets, where as a half step obviously comes out to be one fret. The major scale consists of a pattern of whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half. So whole, whole half, whole, whole, whole, half is your step pattern for a major scale. That can either be played up one string like I just did there, whole step followed by another whole step, half, whole, whole, whole, half, or preferably played across the strings of the guitar. For example, if I was to start on the low E string on a G note here, we’ll create a G major scale. Descending. I can also play it from the A string. For example, if I were to start here on the fifth string, start from this D note, I would create a D major scale by playing the very same pattern. Ascending. Descending. There are other shapes and patterns as well."