SCALES

By Robert Bekkers

Playing scales can be done in many different ways. In this lesson I describe four different fingerings to play the scale of C major, over two octaves. Every single fingering has good and bad aspects. But every one of them will prove to be be usefull at some point. So don't miss to memorise and study them all!

To build speed on playing scales, I suggest to play with different right-hand fingerings like: im, ma, or ia. I even used my pinky in combination with other fingers. Exercising this finger will support your ring finger!

For additional help on building accuracy and speed, playing the alternating stroke, use the following rhythms on every single note: And play LOUD!

Triples, with alternating stroke	Taking it on step further	to eventually get to this

Even being a lazy guitarist, don't stick to C major: practice all scales. Also try to start from a different note. (modal keys).

The first example shows a fingering playing three notes per string. It is very flexible, because you can use any note of the scale to start from and work your way up and down. There are no unclear moments for the right hand. Changing of string always takes place every third note! This fingering is very good to really get to know the fretboard.

major scale of C, played with three notes per string

In the previous scale the down part is having to stretch (str.) between either 1 and 2 or 3 and 4. The following fingering avoids this by changing position at once. Due to this change the scale feels a little "restless". I think most people remember this scale from their first guitarlessons.

major scale of C in classical fingering

This fingering is a beautiful one: By changing position just once on every combination of two strings, it manages to use the same left hand combination! Shown here fingers 1, 3 and 4. Because the number of notes changes every string this type of scale is a little tricky on the right hand. But then, you get to play over almost the whole neck.

major scale of c using 1,3 and 4

The same idea, but now fingers 1,2 and 4 are used. Mind the beginning: To stay with the principle of the system, we need to start with the 2nd finger on the second string. But what would stop you from adding an extra 4 notes above the high c?

major scale of c, using 1,2 and 4></p>

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All these principles of fingering can also be used to play minor scales. Check for a lesson on this subject later.

When fingering scales in a piece of music, it is important to choose a fingering that supports the phrasing . Only sometimes it will be possible to consequently use one of the previous systems. In general, a combination of slurs, string- and position changes together with the different ideas for left-hand fingering needs to be used to acchieve a good-sounding scale and a comfortable right-hand fingering.

To give an example, a scale from the last movement of the "Concierto para un Gentile Hombre" by J. Rodrigo is given, showing an intelligent use of the open 4th string as an alternative to position change, in combination with different scale fingering principles. (The sixth string is tuned down to a D.)

There are many more ways to apply fingerings to scales, like using four notes per string, (thus going from first position to up high in no-time), use one position, or using right-hand tapping. There will be more to come.

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