I’ll try to make it understandable by just writting it, if it doesn’t work, please post doubts and I will try to answer. I am not that advanced, I may not know the answer to all doubts, though.
THE SCALE:
Remember Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti? Major scale for C, in what is called the “Harmonic Field” (at least that’s what it is in Portuguese, I am not sure of the accurate translation).
WHEN IS IT USED:
Pentatonic scale will do it for blues, rock, country and many others, but once you go into jazz, bossa nova or many regional music styles (samba, tango, flamenco, all latin rythms), Pentatonic scale is not enough. It is a matter of accent, the major scale will not suit blues because there will be lacking notes and extra notes that won’t suit it. The reverse is also truth, Pentatonic scale will sound incomplete or out of place in jazz.
Of course, some artists have made it work (both ways), as new forms of playing these styles, but you won’t learn the roots of blues without the pentatonic scale, for example. So, if you feel ready to go into a new universe of styles (and have the interest) you ought to learn this.
WHY:
Beacuse it adds specific “colours” to the song, because of the different notes it has. Also, it allows you a whole different set of chords, with also different colours. That is why it matches better some music styles: notes in the melody or solo are according to the chords used.
HOW IT WORKS:
Long story of how mankind got to it. But here’s how to make it work while you’re playing:
Take the notes above, that is the major scale to C. You will find it draws patterns in the guitar arm, as well as the pentatonic does. Thoug they are different from the pentatonic patterns, of course. If you move these patterns up or down the guitar arm, you will get the major scale for other notes, just like you did with the pentatonic. Example, move the patterns two frets up and you have the D major penatonic.
MINOR AND OTHER SCALES:
This scale doesn’t have just a major and a minor formats, but 7 scales in it. But it is a lot easier to work them out then you might think. They have greek names, not worth memorizing for now, but just so then you know. You might come across a Lydian scale / mode in a Metallica solo, just so then you know. it is applyable to what you now play, you just have to find ways of making it suitable.
So, take the pattern for C major. At the same time it is the Dorian scale for D, Phrygian scale for E and so on to every note on the scale.
Of the seven scales formed, two are worth working on: the main major and the main minor scale. That means the first and the sixth degree.
It means that the pattern used for C major has all the same notes of A minor. It all depends on the intention with which you play the solo, or compose the melody.
So, all you have to do is move the patterns along the guitar arm. If you want to play in C minor, for example, just take the A minor pattern (which is also the C major pattern) and move it o to the C note on the 6th string (move it three frets up).
Hope it helps, regards,
