Script for Scales Tape
Frank Markovich
Acuson
Frank Markovich
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Introduction
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The purpose of this tape is to give the student
something to practice with every day that will enable
the student to become proficient at playing the major
scales and all the modes based off of the major
scales
By the end of the tape you should be able to play all
of the major scales and the modes associated with
them.
There are various steps to this and you must master
each step before moving on to the next step.
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Agenda
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The tape will start with tuning and then move on to playing
the 5 forms of the major scale. Each one will be done
individually at a very slow tempo.
You will need to master each form in 2nd position before
moving on to the next form.
Then each form will be played starting in 2nd position and
then moving up 1 fret (position) each time the scale is
completed until 12 positions have been covered. This will
cover all 15 major scales for each form.
The first time this is played will be at a slow tempo of 60
beats per minute with playing in 4/4 time and playing 1/8th
notes.. Total time would be 15 minutes for this tempo and
playing all of the scales.
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Agenda (Cont.)
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The second time at a medium tempo of 75 beats per
minute with playing in 4/4 time and playing 1/8th
notes.. Total time would be 12.5minutes for this
tempo and playing all of the scales.
Then at 90 beats per minute with playing in 4/4 time
and playing 1/8th notes.. Total time would be
10minutes for this tempo and playing all of the
scales.
Then at 120 beats per minute with playing in 4/4 time
and playing 1/8th notes.. Total time would be 7.5
minutes for this tempo and playing all of the scales.
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Overview
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Again the goal is to build up to playing the scales at a
reasonable tempo.
Once this is mastered you can go on to the modes.
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Define what a scale is.
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A 1/2 step is from one fret to the next fret and a
whole step is from 1 fret to 2 frets above or below.
When constructing scales go up the alphabet. Do
not skip or repeat a letter.
A scale is a series of notes in a redefined order. The
major scale is comprised of the following Whole step,
whole step, 1/2 step, whole step, whole step, whole
step, to finally a 1/2 step.
Modes are build off of the whole scales.
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Tuning
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We will start with tuning. It is critical that you tune to
the tape. I will play each note twice.
Here is the 1st or high E string.
Here is the 2nd or B string.
Here is the 3rd or G string.
Here is the 4th or D string.
Here is the 5th or A string.
Here is the 6th or low E string.
Now play an E chord and make sure it sounds good.
(Play an E Chord).
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The Forms in 2nd position.
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Each of these five forms will be played individually in
2nd position first at a slow tempo to get you started.
These must be mastered before you can go on.
A metronome will be used to ensure that the time is
correct through each scale.
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The G major scale
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The Forms in 2nd position.
First is the G form. It starts on the 6th string 3rd fret
with the 2nd finger.
Play this first as 1/4 notes so there will be one note
per beat.
I will count to 4, to give you the tempo and then we
will begin. 1,2,3,4 (With metronome).
OK now as 1/8th notes. You should use alternate
picking for 1/8th notes.
1, 2, 3, 4.
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The A major scale
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The one warning is you must go outside of the
position by stretching to either the 1st fret of the 3rd
string or the 6th fret of the 4th string when playing the
G#. Use your index if you choose the 1st fret and
your pinkie is you choose the 6th fret.
Starting on the 6th string 5th fret.
Play as 1/4 notes. 1,2,3,4
Now as 1/8th notes. 1,2,3,4
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The C major scale
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Again there is a note outside the position. I suggest
you play the 1st string 1st fret for the F.
Starting on the 5th string 3rd fret.
Play as 1/4 notes. 1,2,3,4
Now as 1/8th notes 1,2,3,4
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The D major scale
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This key to this is going back down and ending up on
the D note.
Starting on 5th string 5th fret 4th finger.
First as 1/4 notes. 1, 2, 3, 4
Now as 1/8th notes.
1,2,3,4
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Lastly for the forms the E form.
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This one changes position on the 4th and 3rd string
to 1st position.
Starting on the 6th string open.
First as 1/4 notes. 1,2,3,4
Now as 1/8th notes. 1,2,3,4
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At metronome marking 60 playing 1/8th
notes
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For this section we will run through all 5 forms at 12
frets or positions. Starting each one in the 2nd
position and moving through the 14th position. If
your guitar does not allow you to play comfortably up
to the 14th position just go to the position that your
hand is still comfortable at.
It is critical that you use the correct fingerings and
play in time with the tape on these scales.
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The G major form
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As 1/8th notes. 1, 2, 3, 4 G major, Ab major, A major
Bb major, B major, C major, C# or Db major
D major, Eb major, E major, F major
F# or Gb major, G major
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The A major form
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As 1/8th notes. 1, 2, 3, 4 A major., Bb major, B major
C major, C# or Db major, D major, Eb major
E major, F major, F# or Gb major, G major
Ab major, A major
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The C major form
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As 1/8th notes. 1, 2, 3, 4 C major., C# or Db major, D
major
Eb major, E major, F major, F# or Gb major, G major
Ab major, A major, Bb major, B major, C major
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The D major form
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As 1/8th notes. 1, 2, 3, 4 D major., Eb major, E major
F major, F# or Gb major, G major, Ab major, A major
Bb major, B major, C major, C# or Db major
D major
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The E major form
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For this form you will use your fist finger (after the E)
to start and play the 1st two notes and the last two
notes.
As 1/8th notes. 1, 2, 3, 4 E major., F major, F# or Gb
major, G major
Ab major, A major, Bb major, B major, C major, C# or
Db major
D major, Eb major, E major
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Going on
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Once you can do the previous 5 forms perfectly at
mm 60 you can go on. I suggest that perfectly
means at least a week at mm 60 without any errors.
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At metronome marking 75 playing 1/8th
notes
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For this section we will speed up the scales to mm
75. This will be 25% faster. You may need to spend
some time at intermediate steps. Maybe do some at
mm 65, then at mm 70 etc..
It is critical that you use the correct fingerings and
play in time with the tape on these scales.
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The G major form
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As 1/8th notes. 1, 2, 3, 4 G major, Ab major, A major,
Bb major
B major, C major, C# or Db major, D major, Eb major
E major, F major, F# or Gb major, G major
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The A major form
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As 1/8th notes. 1, 2, 3, 4 A major., Bb major, B major
C major, C# or Db major, D major, Eb major
E major, F major, F# or Gb major, G major
Ab major, A major
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The C major form
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As 1/8th notes. 1, 2, 3, 4 C major., C# or Db major, D
major
Eb major, E major, F major, F# or Gb major, G major
Ab major, A major, Bb major, B major, C major
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The D major form
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As 1/8th notes. 1, 2, 3, 4 D major., Eb major, E major
F major, F# or Gb major, G major, Ab major
A major, Bb major, B major, C major
C# or Db major, D major
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The E major form
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As 1/8th notes. 1, 2, 3, 4 E major., F major, F# or Gb
major
G major, Ab major, Amajor, Bb major, B major, C
major
C# or Db major, D major, Eb major, E major
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Going on
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Once you can do the previous 5 forms perfectly at
mm 75 you can go on. Again, I suggest that perfectly
means at least a week at mm 750 without any errors.
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At metronome marking 90 playing 1/8th
notes
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For this section we will speed up the scales to mm
90.
It is critical that you use the correct fingerings and
play in time with the tape on these scales.
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The G major form
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As 1/8th notes. 1, 2, 3, 4 G major, Ab major, A major,
Bb major
B major, C major, C# or Db major, D major, Eb major
E major, F major, F# or Gb major, G major
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The A major form
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As 1/8th notes. 1, 2, 3, 4 A major., Bb major, B major
C major, C# or Db major, D major, Eb major
E major, F major, F# or Gb major, G major
Ab major, A major
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The C major form
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As 1/8th notes. 1, 2, 3, 4 C major., C# or Db major, D
major
Eb major, E major, F major, F# or Gb major, G major
Ab major, A major, Bb major, B major, C major
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The D major form
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As 1/8th notes. 1, 2, 3, 4 D major., Eb major, E major
F major, F# or Gb major, G major, Ab major
A major, Bb major, B major, C major
C# or Db major, D major
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The E major form
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As 1/8th notes. 1, 2, 3, 4 E major., F major, F# or Gb
major
G major, Ab major, Amajor, Bb major, B major, C
major
C# or Db major, D major, Eb major, E major
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Going on
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Once you can do the previous 5 forms perfectly at
mm 90 you can go on. Again, I suggest that perfectly
means at least a week at mm 90 without any errors.
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At metronome marking 120 playing
1/8th notes
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For this section we will speed up the scales to mm
120.
It is critical that you use the correct fingerings and
play in time with the tape on these scales.
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The G major form
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As 1/8th notes. 1, 2, 3, 4 G major, Ab major, A major,
Bb major
B major, C major, C# or Db major, D major, Eb major
E major, F major, F# or Gb major, G major
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The A major form
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As 1/8th notes. 1, 2, 3, 4 A major., Bb major, B major
C major, C# or Db major, D major, Eb major
E major, F major, F# or Gb major, G major
Ab major, A major
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The C major form
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As 1/8th notes. 1, 2, 3, 4 C major., C# or Db major, D
major
Eb major, E major, F major, F# or Gb major, G major
Ab major, A major, Bb major, B major, C major
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The D major form
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As 1/8th notes. 1, 2, 3, 4 D major., Eb major, E major
F major, F# or Gb major, G major, Ab major
A major, Bb major, B major, C major
C# or Db major, D major
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The E major form
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As 1/8th notes. 1, 2, 3, 4 E major., F major, F# or Gb
major
G major, Ab major, Amajor, Bb major, B major, C
major
C# or Db major, D major, Eb major, E major
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Now Where do you go.
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Once you can do these scales playing 1/8th notes at
mm 120 you will have mastered these scales.
It is now up to you to go one of two directions. You
can either work on the modes for each of these or
start going on and moving to faster metronome
markings. I would try to get up to mm 180 as a goal.
This would allow you to play most pieces and to solo
to all but the very fasting piece.
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Modes
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This is one of the easiest concepts in music to
understand and apply, but many people have had
trouble with it due to making it more complicated than
it needs to be.
To start we will use a C major scale in the 7th
position (G Major - 2nd position form). Each note of
the scale can have a number applied to it. The scale
goes C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C etc.. So if we apply a
number then C = 1, D =2, E = 3, F =4, G = 5, A = 6,
and B = 7.
If you play a C major scale then you are also playing
the mode built off of 1 or an Ionian mode.
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Modes (Cont.)
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If you played the same notes but started and ended
the scale on the 2 or D note, then you would have the
Dorian Mode.
That scale would be D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D. This
would mode is used for a II chord or in the key of C a
Dm (Dm7) chord.
A mode built off of the 3rd note in a major scale is a
Phrygian Mode. In relation to C it would be as
follows: E, F, G, A, B, C, D, E. In this case use this
against an Em chord
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Modes (cont.)
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A mode built off of the 4th note in a major scale is a
Lydian Mode. In relation to C it would be as follows:
F, G, A, B, C, D, E, F. This would be used against a F
Maj7 chord.
A mode built off of the 5th note in a major scale is a
Mixolydian Mode. In relation to C it would be as
follows: G, A, B, C, D, E, F, G. This would be used
against a G7 chord.
A mode built off of the 6th note in a major scale is a
Aeolian Mode. In relation to C it would be as follows:
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A. Used in the key of C against
an Am chord.
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Modes (cont.)
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A mode built off of the 7th note in a major scale is a
Locrian Mode. In relation to C it would be as follows:
B, C, D, E, F, G, A, B. Used for a m7b5 (1/2
diminished) chord. Bm7b5 for this key.
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Each of these modes has a use.
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The 4 that are used the most are the Ionian, Dorian,
Mixolydian and Lydian.
Here are a couple of tips on how to remember what
to use and find it on the guitar. For a major type
chord use either the major scale of the same letter
name or a major scale up a 4th (6 spaces clockwise
on the chromatic scale). For a C maj7 use a C major
scale or a F major scale (4th above C).
For a minor 7th, 9th etc.., use the Dorian mode built
off of a major scale 1 whole step below (2 frets) the
name of the chord. For Dm7 use a D Dorian which is
the same as a C major scale starting on D.
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Modes use (cont.)
For a 7, 9 etc.. chord use the major scale down a 4th (6
spaces counterclockwise on the chromatic scale). For G7
use a G Mixolydian scale which is comprised of the notes
in a C major scale but starting and ending on a G.
n The other modes are not used as much so don’t
concentrate on them in the beginning. You will find that
songs tend to revolve around key centers. With that you
will find that you can apply on tonality to a number of
chords. For example, the following progression is all
within the C major tonality:
n 4/4 ||: Dm7 | G7 | C Maj7 |
:||. You would be
basically playing a D Dorian for the Dm7, a G Mixolydian
for the G7 and a C Ionian for the C Maj7. All of which use
Frank Markovich the same notes but start on different pitches.
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Summary
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At first you should work on these every day.
Once mastered you need to do this at least once per
week.
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There are many books that have more
information about scales and modes.
Frank Markovich
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End
Frank Markovich
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