Today you'll learn how to build your own system that will help you play scales all over the guitar neck. Yes, that's right. You'll learn how to navigate your way around the fretboard - what we call Fretboard Framework.

You'll learn how always to know where you are, which scale pattern you're in, and where the notes, chords, and arpeggios are. Fun, eh? And it's easier than you think!

Before You Start

If you're following along the Major Scales Maestro course, you should be confident about playing three different patterns - Pattern 1, Pattern 2, and Pattern 3 - if you only just learned Pattern 3 very recently it might be a little rustier than the others but you should be fine.

I learned my Fretboard Framework with the Minor Pentatonic Scale, but we'll learn it with Major Scales - either one will help the other and as you learn both scales they will support each other - the underlying framework is exactly the same! The key thing will be knowing where the octave shapes are and understanding the implications of that.

Before getting started, you must be clear about seeing how these scale patterns fit together with the root notes and the CAGED shapes.

Seeing the root notes clearly for each pattern is essential! We start and end on the lowest root note so far because you should know the root notes on Strings 5 and 6 at least. Of course, Pattern 2 uses the root on String 4 but is easily found stepping back two frets and up two strings.

Ready? Let's do it!

The Root Relationships

Take some time to look at the root locations within each pattern and how they link up. Learning the octave positions and working on only one octave shape can be very helpful in making the connections between the patterns.

You should know by now that shapes move easily to new root notes horizontally, just sliding the same to the new root note. Notice that they also move vertically - but with a twist on the B string. Take the time to understand and explore that; it's fascinating!

Check out how the one octave shape starting on Finger 2 is the same everywhere, but things move up a fret as the cross onto String 2.

Make Your Life Easier!

Breaking all the shapes we've learned into single octave chunks is a great way of demystifying the neck. If you think of every shape in every key as different, there is far too much to remember. We’re going to explore this much more in Grade 5 as we learn all five patterns, but starting to visualize the shapes and location of the octaves now will be a big help for your guitar journey!

Also, remember that there are many ways to approach the fretboard framework. You’ll likely find the one that makes sense for you. I’m trying to drop as many ‘light bulb moments as I can, and I hope one will turn on for you! Some of this is stuff you have to do on your own - and your discoveries will be the most powerful ones!

I don’t want to spoon-feed you but inspire you to explore on your own. Find your own truth!

Practice Without Your Guitar

It's possible to practice even without the guitar in your hands. Spend some time looking at the diagrams when you don't have the instrument in your hands. Close your eyes and imagine the shapes in your mind. Picture the root notes.

Highest Root Notes

Now it's time for something new in your practice routine. :) This change-up will help you see the higher root notes. You'll try to play starting and ending on the highest root note for each pattern. It's the way you will use them the most.

We tend to solo on the thinnest strings, making much more sense to practice that way in the long run. We started with the low root because it’s easier to hear the tonal center for the ear and because many of you will be more confident with notes on the thicker strings.

Single String Solos

Another great tool you can use to develop your framework is to do solos on just one string. That will help you link the patterns confidently and also help build the framework. You should also explore playing in 3rds - they sound great on single strings too!

As always, start and get confident in G first. Only consider moving to a new key when you can skate around between the patterns on any string. Stay in a key until you get confident with it!

When you're ready to move on, alternate between G and C. Try F, then alternate between the 3. Add A, and lastly, try D.

I say this a lot - but don’t hurry it. Enjoy the ride. It’s just a ride.

Unit 5 Practice Schedule

Homework

The homework for this unit is 10 minutes. There are loads to learn here, so I suggest doing at least 40 sessions on this. It means two months if you practice five days a week.

That’s a lot, eh! But there is a lot of content here to explore. If you can’t make music and have fun with this - the rest of this course will not help you! To expand how you can make music with scales, you must have this stuff really down first.

5 Minutes - Scales Routine

Start by learning and working on Pattern 3 only. First, straight up and down, and then in 3rds. When you're confident with that, start working on all 3 shapes. Find a tempo that you can play ALL 3 scales straight and in 3rds. Then, do the following:

Pattern 1 up and down x 2
Pattern 1 in 3rds x2
Pattern 2 up and down x2
Pattern 2 in 3rds x2
Pattern 3 up and down x2
Pattern 3 in 3rds x2

If there's any remaining time, work on what you found more complicated than the rest.

If you are getting fast, you might want to increase the number of times you do each scale. On alternate days, you might like to start on the highest root note.

A) 5 Minutes - Single String Solos

Start only in G. Work on one string solo for half the time and a different (not adjacent) string for the other half the time. Work through all the three patterns we've explored so far - and not more! Explore slides and shifts and anything you can think of!

When you’re super confident in G, try C, then F, then A, then D. That should take you quite some time. :)

B) 5 Minutes - Motif Development

Motif Development is a big deal - don’t stop it now. :) Keep it on the cooker!

C) 5 Minutes - Free Improvising

Pick a key, any key, and just improvise and play whatever you feel like playing. Let go. Feel it. Tune out. Explore. See what you will see.

New Keys and Old!

We now have keys to use for improvising. Mix them up and explore them all!

G Major - It's where we started, so it'll probably feel the most comfortable. It should feel like home!
C Major - At this point, it should also feel comfortable and nothing challenging.
A Major - It might sometimes get confusing because you know G Major around the 5th fret (Pattern 2) and A Major around the 5th fret (Pattern 1). That's why it’s essential to see the scales around the chord shape and know where you are and your root notes!
F Major - This new track will pose some nice problems. :) You can’t play Pattern 1 with the usual fingering here because you need open strings. Can you do that? Or will you mostly play in Pattern 2? How are you going to deal with it? Have fun!
D Major - This is the new kid on the block! It might get tricky for acoustic players to play in D Pattern 2, but I encourage electric players to get up there and get used to playing ‘up the dusty end’!

There are loads of real and cool backing tracks available here!

Feedback And Support

Have you recorded yourself in video yet? :) I suggest you do it at each stage of this journey. You’ll love looking back on it, and it can be very inspiring to see how far you've come.

Sharing your video with our community of guitarists will also allow you to get feedback and help if needed!

You'll also inspire those who are starting on their journey to see the progress possible using this method. I hope you’re enjoying it and looking forward to watching and hearing you soon!