By now you have come a long way with major and minor scales and chords. Now you are going to learn how to do new versions of these chords and scales up and down the fretboard. Scales will be referred to as “shapes” and chords will be referred to as “forms.” You will begin the journey with scale shapes. These scale shapes will help you learn scale names all over the guitar neck. The first shape you will examine is the major scale with the root (beginning note) on the sixth string.

The first scale shape you'll learn is the E major, which begins on the sixth string. In FIGURE 8-3a, you can see that the E major scale utilizes open strings and goes up to the fifth fret on the second string. Track 41 on this book's CD demonstrates this scale. The fingerings for this scale form are next to the notes. This major scale shape begins with the root (beginning scale note name) on the sixth string.

Next, look at the G major scale utilizing the E major scale shape (FIGURE 8-3b).

The scale shapes are identical in that they follow a major scale pattern starting on the sixth string. This G major scale is a closed pattern shape where open strings are not used. Notice the difference in where the notes are played between the two variations. The advantage to this closed system is that you can play this shape up and down the neck and know that you are always playing a major scale shape.

Look at the following scale shapes as shown in FIGURE 8-4 and how they can be used in different keys. Listen to Track 42 on this book's CD to hear how the scales sound when played.

These scales must look very new and strange. Play along with the CD track to get a better handle on playing these scales. Once you have drilled the basic concepts into your head, try incorporating the chromatic approach to the scales. The chromatic scales are shown in FIGURES 8-5 and 8-6. Listen to Tracks 43 and 44 on this book's CD to hear how these scales sound.

You can now see the moveable scale pattern going up the fretboard. Once again, it is best to listen to the CD tracks to begin to play along.

Track 45 demonstrates the scale sequence in C minor (shown in FIGURE 8-7). You'll be learning more about sequences later. Don't worry! You'll get it — all things in time.