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Beginning Lessons - Open Position C Major and minor guitar scale

In this guitar lesson you will learn the C Major and C minor guitar scale - two of the most basic, open position guitar scales. Llearn the shape and sound of each one slowly - it will pay off in the future!

Let's begin with what is the Big Daddy of all scales - The C Major Scale. There are 12 keys in music as we know it (see Music Theory Basics). The key of C major, which is created from the C major scale, is special because it has no sharps or flats. This makes it a very easy scale to learn - C D E F G A B. These are the 7 notes, just like every major scale.

The C melodic minor scale is just one note different from the C Major. The 3rd note of the C Major scale is lowered by a half step (1 fret) to create a C melodic minor scale.

Here are the scales:

1. Concentrate on your left hand finger technique - Curl your left fingers and play on the fingertips
2. Play the guitar scale with a steady rhythm and let each note ring.
3. ALWAYS PLAY EACH SCALE SLOWLY AT FIRST!
4. Start using the metronome when you feel more comfortable with a scale.

1. All downs
2. Alternating (down, up, down, up)
3. Repeat every note using alternating (HEAR IT!)
4. Repeat every note three times using alternating (begin each group of 3 with a down pick) (HEAR IT!)
5. Do each of the above using palm muting (HEAR IT!)