Scales question

[Phunky]

Since there is like 1 000 000 000 000 different scales i was wondering if anyone could give me the most "common" or the best scales to practise...... thanks....

[cowsgomoo]

Originally Posted by Phunky

Since there is like 1 000 000 000 000 different scales i was wondering if anyone could give me the most "common" or the best scales to practise...... thanks....

start off with the major scale and its modal derivatives... make sure that you integrate arpeggios into your practice too

minor and major pentatonic 'scales' & the 'blues scale' would probably be your next best bet if you're planning on playing anything vaguely rock related

chromatic scale practice is often good for strength and helping you practice smoothly shifting positions etc

[Matt Ides]

If you are just starting out with scales I would play 3 octave major scales and arppegio. This will get you familiar with the fretboard and also get you into the upper register.

Also do this at about 80 bpm. Play whole notes, then half, then quarter, the eight notes.

Then when you are comfortable with that then move on to Minor, Blues, Jazz Minor.

[Joe P]

Originally Posted by cowsgomoo

start off with the major scale and its modal derivatives... make sure that you integrate arpeggios into your practice too

minor and major pentatonic 'scales' & the 'blues scale' would probably be your next best bet if you're planning on playing anything vaguely rock related

chromatic scale practice is often good for strength and helping you practice smoothly shifting positions etc

I'd suggest specifically NOT starting with the pentatonics. I have a feeling a lot of musicians get screwed up by doing that first - first at least get your full majors and/or minors down, then maybe even some modes first.

What got me going down the wrong path with modes, though (which I'm really just starting to come-around a little on now), is starting a modal scale on the note that it would have fallen on within its relative regular major scale (I don't know how to say this right, I guess) - what I mean you should do is stick with a key; play 'parallel modes' instead of 'relative modes'.

Chromatic is always good excersise I think - it won't teach you much theory, though.

Joe

[Eric Grossman]

I concur with Cowsgomoo. Good solid advice.

[_j_]

Originally Posted by Joe P

I'd suggest specifically NOT starting with the pentatonics. I have a feeling a lot of musicians get screwed up by doing that first - first at least get your full majors and/or minors down, then maybe even some modes first.

Agreed - I started with minor pentatonic because that's most of what you're going to hear in rock and I'm still trying to get away from it. Start with the major scale and modes. 3 notes per string. Learn them in every key. Sing it as you play it to train your ear. Blah blah blah...

you're going to hear these tips everywhere.. search around here or go to a music shop and flip through some of the books (don't buy any though, they're usually a waste of money).

[Joe P]

Originally Posted by _j_

Agreed - I started with minor pentatonic because that's most of what you're going to hear in rock and I'm still trying to get away from it...

Unfortunately, that's probobly most of what you hear in rock because of all the bassists before US that got 'hooked' on this 'minor pentatonic music theory'!

Joe

[Funky-Wunky]

Learn to play a major, minor, and dominant 7 scale. Learn the correct fingerings and play them up and down. 3 scales that will make up most of most songs.

[Correlli]

Originally Posted by Phunky

Since there is like 1 000 000 000 000 different scales i was wondering if anyone could give me the most "common" or the best scales to practise...... thanks....

Scales To Learn
---------------

- Diatonic Major Scale and Modes
- Diatonic Pentatonic Major Scale and Modes
- Melodic Minor Scale and Modes
- Harmonic Monir Scale and Modes
- Double Harmonic Scale and Modes
- Symmetrical Scales - Whole Tone, Diminished, Augmented, Chromatic
- Hexatonic Scales - Blues Scale, Prometheus