The most essential aspect of my guitar playing are 12-tone major and minor scales. We will begin with the Major Scale. All major scales begin on a note of choice and follow a pattern of whole-step, whole-step, half-step, whole-step, whole-step, whole-step, half-step. In the case of G major, the notes that make up the G major scale are G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, and back to G.
This is a fundamental starting point for any guitar player. What many players don't realize is that major scales can be transformed into a darker-sounding mode by beginning on the 6th note of the scale and following the pattern whole-step, half-step, whole-step, whole-step, half-step, whole-step, whole-step. In the case of E, the notes of this scale would be E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, and back to E. This is known as the E Natural Minor scale or "aeolian" mode. There are other variations of the minor scale, such as the harmonic or melodic minor, but I rarely use them in my playing.
Many beginning guitar players stick to a 2-octave range of a particular major or minor scale, with their fingers often anchored at a specific fret. For example, a two-octave G Major scale can be played with an anchor at the 2nd fret. However, what many guitar players learn later on is a greater range can be utilized by shifting the anchor throughout the fretboard.
I do this quite frequently in my playing, using the three-octave models by Andres Segovia as a foundation. It is difficult to describe this using just text, but I will do the best I can: begin by playing the E natural minor scale beginning with the open 6th string. However, prepare to immediately shift your anchor to the 2nd fret. Play the E open, F# with your index finger, and G with your middle finger. If done correctly, your anchor should now be at the 2nd fret.
Play the G major scale upward from here until you get to the 2nd B. This is where you will once again shift your anchor, this time to the fifth fret. After playing the B with your ring finger, play the following C on the 3rd string with your index finger and the D with your ring finger. You are now playing a G major scale starting on A, or "Dorian" mode. Continue to play the scale upward from here until you reach the next C.
This is where you will make your final shift. After playing the C on the 1st string with your pinky, play the D on the 1st string with your middle finger and the E on the 12th fret with your pinky. You have now successfully completed a 3-octave natural minor scale. If you wish to continue upward, repeat the same pattern starting with your anchor on the 12th fret.
You would think you would descend the same way. However, what is special about the Segovia scales is they are designed to utilize the entire fret board, not just a certain notes at certain frets. To begin your descent, play the E with your pinky and immediately shift your anchor down to the 7th fret with your pinky on the D. Descend from here playing a G major scale beginning at B, or "Phrygian" mode. You will find I often favor the Dorian and Phrygian modes because they interlock well and can cover a great range of notes without too much shifting.
Descend on the scale until you reach the E on the 5th string. From here, shift your anchor back to the 2nd fret with your pinky on the D and descend until you play the open E string. You have now completed a 3-octave E natural minor scale using almost the entire fret board. Practice this pattern to acquaint yourself with the fret board and learn where you can shift for color and tone changes.
Happy shredding!
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