How to Learn Scales

This book can function as a reference, where you look up a particular scale and learn its fretboard pattern as needed, but it is also structured as a “scale method.” That is, if you start at the beginning and learn each scale in the order presented, you will find that they build in a logical and systematic sequence.

Learning these scales is a process that will take some time and practice. Don’t pressure yourself to learn them too quickly, as this will only cause you to confuse one with the next. Instead, spend enough time with one pattern until you can play through it repeatedly without mistakes. And play slowly! This isn’t a race. After you are comfortable with a given scale, continue to review it from time to time, even as you move on to memorize the next scale pattern.

Now a word about how to practice scales. Obviously one can simply play up and down until the pattern “sinks in.” However, repeating a scale ad nauseum is generally not a particularly effective strategy because the amount of repetition required is often more than any sane person can take! Therefore, it is best to apply a variety of approaches. Here are a few ideas to keep things a bit more interesting:

• Start with the lowest note and add one note at a time, cycling ever higher and higher until you are playing up and down the full scale pattern.
• Sequence the scale ascending and descending in groups of two, three, and four, etc.
• Playing to a metronome, improvise within the scale while maintaining constant eighth or sixteenth notes. You may draw upon sequences, make contours, or skip notes, but don’t leave the scale!

Some of the possible sequences are demonstrated on the first few scales. Of course, you should continue to apply them to each of the scales presented.

Finally, it is important to realize that for scales to ultimately be learned effectively, you must see them at work in real life situations. Then, you will really know them! All theoretical knowledge, including scales, is useless without application. So it is recommended that as you progress through this book, you learn enough music, songs, and/or solos to see some application of these patterns. If this is difficult for you, you may find it beneficial to seek out private lessons with a teacher who can help you recognize real musical applications for each scale.