Questions & Answers with Neil Hogan #2.2.1

Q. Is there anything special about a guitar scale?

A. This would be simply one played on our favorite instrument, as opposed to one played on the piano, which might be called a piano scale. When someone uses this term, they are probably talking more about a fingering pattern for a scale.

One of the special things about the guitar is that a pattern can be laid out on the fingerboard playing all the notes of, let’s say in the key of A major. The player can then memorize the pattern without even worrying about what notes they are playing, meaning you don’t have to know the key signature.

Once the pattern is clear under your fingers, you can move it up or down the neck to change keys. You only have to memorize one major pattern to be able to play any major scale as long as you know where to move it. This is of course true with other scales too (minor, pentatonic, etc.).

For more info on different patterns click here - guitar scales.