| Scales are not music, but are a means to improving guitar technique.
In 1970, William Leavitt made available a way in which a guitarist could
play all 12 keys in one position. This revolutionized guitar technique.
Previously, it was thought that there were only 5 or 6 scale patterns
which resulted in a lot of cliche playing by guitarists. This was just
the beginning however. Building on this concept, there are actually 36
scale patterns in each position.
Mastery of these can technically put the guitarist on the level with
a pianist or saxophonist. There are also 8 additional patterns (see my
book Guitar Seeds, pages 21, 22, 23) for moving horizontally on the neck.
connecting the other 36 patterns in every key and position. Upon mastery,
the idea of position playing will disappear and the entire neck will
be available to make music.
There are 12 different major scale patterns, all in the same position.
Without moving your hand, you can play two octaves in each of the 12
keys no matter where you happen to be on the neck.
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A position is six frets. (George Van Ep's "six finger principle")
The first and fourth fingers cover two frets. Second and third fingers
remain stationary. Since the first finger is not always in the same place,
the number of the position is determined by one fret below the second
finger. If the second finger is in the ninth fret, the hand is in the
eighth position.
In the diagrams below, the root is represented by a green square. The
connected circled pitches are alternate fingerings. Either one may be
used. Start on the root, go as high as you can in the position, go down
to lowest note in the position and with the same finger. Practice all
twelve patterns in each position on the neck being aware of the names
of the notes you are playing. This type of movement will be referred
to as vertical, since when the guitar is in playing position, you are
moving up and down across the strings.
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