A Major Scale - Basic

Starting Simple

We're starting with the basic A major scale. Be sure to use the looper for each section until you have them down. Many of you are likely familiar with the A major scale already. We're gonna take it a step further by incorporating some exercises to increase your dexterity, and maybe give you a few ideas for licks in your solos. In the A section be sure to stay at a tempo where you can control your motions. Leave fingers down as you move up the scale. This helps to increase muscle memory and to build muscle. The longer a note is held, the longer a muscle is engaged. It's like weight lifting for your fingers. Time to get buff. In the B section, we have an ascending pattern that moves up two notes and jumps back, then starting the pattern again at the next note up in the scale. Watch the video for fret hand finger positions.

The C section is also a pattern of three, but descending. Try to place down all three fingers needed in a pattern at the same time, or at least before you need them. This helps with efficiency. Efficiency helps with speed. Watch the video for a demonstration. In the D section, we are moving in thirds. A third in musical terms is a type of interval, which is a space between things-in this case notes. Basically you leapfrog over one note in the scale. It's another great way to get a deeper understanding of the A major scale and work on fretting and picking. In the E section, we are doing thirds in a descending pattern

More A Major. It's Next :)