The G Major Scale

The foundation for melodic style

Learning the G major scale will give you a sense for what it feels like to play in melodic style. Use your ring finger for the 7th fret note, your middle for the 5th fret notes on the 3rd and 2nd strings, and your index for the 4th fret, 1st string. This will give you the economy of movement that is only found in melodic style.

Also, this will lay the groundwork for the other lessons in this series and will allow you to play this scale position in a variety of keys with a capo. For example, Cripple Creek is played out of the key of A with mandolin and fiddle players, so you'd capo on the 2nd fret to accommodate. You can play out of this scale position when capoed there as well.

Watch the video below for a brief demonstration of the G major scale in melodic style.