need help with scales in general

[newguy]

Ok I've only been playing for four months (I'm 14) and i need some help on understanding scales in general. If I wanted to play a G minor pentatonic scales, could I take a basic minor penatatonic scale shape and play it like so....

3f 4f 5f 6f 7fr
|--1---|----- |--------|--4--|------|
|--1---|------|--3--- |------|------|
|--1---|------|--3----|------|------|
|--1---|------|--3----|------|------|
|--1---|----- |--------|---4-|------|

I I can do that can I also move this scale shape up to the 7th fret for a B minor scale like so?

7f 8f 9f 10f 11f
|--1---|----- |------- |--4--|------|
|--1---|------|--3--- |------|------|
|--1---|------|--3----|------|------|
|--1---|------|--3----|------|------|
|--1---|----- |--------|---4-|------|

If I am correct can I do this for all other basic scale shapes (major, blues etc) If I am totally off can someone please explain to me the right way. ( I already read the lesson here and am slighty confused.)
Thanks, Drake

[mullz]

Yes, patterns like that can be moved all over the neck, if you know where the root note is you can just shift the pattern around to fit what you want to play...

BUT!!!!

Don't just memorise the patterns for each scale, or give them 'names'!!!

Think of the notes that make up the scale you are going to play in and know where those notes are on the fretboard. Yes, every single note. I know that you are just starting out, but if you learn to play like this your playing and improv will be much stronger, as you will be able to solo all over the neck, instead of having to rely on patterns to stick to... and when you get more advanced you be able to go 'outside' (play notes that aren't from the scale you are 'supposed' to play in, but they sound great anyhow) and come back more convincingly.

This may be a bit 'advanced' for your level, and I am not a guitar techer or anything (in fact, im not much older that you!), but I have found playing like this improved my musicianship a lot. Patterns will do for you in the beginning I suppose (they did me for me) but I suggest you make an effort to learn the notes than you are playing.

Eg. when playing a G major scale, while looking at the fret board: play G, say 'G', play A, say 'A', etc. And do that for every scale.... and then do it again.

Wow, aren't I harsh, lol. Have Fun.

[satch]

If you are just starting out,you need to know all of the names and order of the 12 cromatic notes of western music.
cc#dd#eff#gg#aa#b
using a whole whole half whole whole whole half interval from this scale,you now have a major scale. To adjust for any scale pattern
memorize which notes of the major scale need to be altered to make a new scale.lydian is #4th mixolydian is flat7th minor is flat3,6,7
etc...thier are about 50 different scales to chose from.But in rock only about 10-15 are used unless you are satriani-aldimeola-vai
holdsworth etc...Start by learning all the notes of the major scale in all 12 keys.Then grab a scale book and memorize the formulas.
hope this helps.

[Munchman]

Hi newguy, another thing that may help you in the early days is to visualise the chord that is 'inside' the pentatonic scale u are playing.

the chord 'within' the scale u outline above is the 1st position (r/6) minor chord.

....1.|......|.......|.......
....1.|......|.......|......
....1.|......|.......|......
......|......|.....4.|......
......|......|.....3.|......
....R.|......|.......|.....

It may be a little bit of a mountain for u to climb to learn all of the notes on the guitar from the off, my suggestion is to use the above info to learn the notes on the 6th string to start with.

The root on the 6th above is only the minor, there is of course the major, minor,7 & min7 which are derived from the r/6 shape which of course can be moved up and down the neck to help u learn ur notes.

Remember, the root is everthing here. If u know the name of the root (on the 6th in the above example) u know the name of the chord.

In other words, the above info gives u the tools to work out 44 chords without having to remember them individually.

When uve learnt these move onto the r/5 shape (moveable 'A' chord) to learn the notes on the 5th string.

I hope this helps a little and I apologise if its covering ground u know.

Ben

[chrisbs]

that is a good plan.
Learning moving scale patterns is an easier way to learn the entire neck.
The next step is learning how to use common tones to move from on key to another.
A good method book for this is the Berklee Guitar series

http://www.ibanezshop.com

[satch]

what chris said is good.study the circle of 5ths
Using the circle will tell you in ORDER the keys of music
and how moving in one direction only changes one note of the previous
key.If u know the notes of c major then move up to g major
you will notice only one note is different between these two keys.
Ive been told that the whole music system is eaisiest using
the cycle of 5ths.
Looks like i need to hit the wood shed.Its been a while since i studied it.