7 Great Way To Learn Guitar Scales Like A Pro

Learn Guitar Scales Using The Crabwise Method

Crabwise scales are a great way to learn numerous guitar scales in a single lesson. This is how you can play guitar scales ‘Crabwise.’ Lets look at the E major scale as an example. Start off on the E major scale and play it on the first 3 frets from the 6th string down to the first. When you reach the last note play back the F major scale back up the strings. When you reach the 6th string play the G major scales down the strings.
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Learn Guitar Scales on The Entire Fretboard

When most people learn scales they learn one position, then the next, then the next. Learning guitar scales this way can make your playing sound very ‘boxy.’ Instead of learning scales by potions try learning them in string pairs right up and down the neck. This will program into your mind that the scale is over the entire fretboard and will have a remarkable effect on your playing.

Play With Repetition in Mind

Repetition is what makes music great. When you first learn scales you may be tempted to avoid repetition but this is a mistake. Repetition lets the listener get the feel for the song and makes your playing more entertaining.

Learn Guitar Lead in Both Styles

Lead guitarists play along to songs in one of two common ways. You can play with the chords or you can play in the key. When you play the key you will use the same scale throughout the song. When you play with the chords you will change scales to match the chord being played. Both work great but it’s important you know the two ways.
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Teach Yourself Guitar Scales as Intervals and as Notes

When you are learning guitar scales, try to learn them first as notes by naming the notes out loud as you are playing. Then learn them as intervals by naming the intervals out loud. Then learn then as notes plus intervals. This will program your brain to the exact layout of the scale you are learning.

Improvise Your Favorite Tunes

Listen to your favorite tunes and riffs and learn to play them. Once you have mastered the riff try improvising it and changing notes to see if you can improve on it. This will give you a huge insight into the structure behind great guitar solos and why one note was used used rather than another.

Pay Attention To Poor Sounding Notes

Sometimes you might play a note in a scale that should be right but it just sounds wrong. Take notice of these notes and where they crop up for future reference so you can avoid them.
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