How did everyone learn scales and chords?

For you experts, was there a specific way you memorized the scales? Did you memorize the interval shapes on the guitar, maybe the box shapes, or the note names? Did you do the same with the chords? I am trying to figure out how I should learn them.

For me it's knowing where the notes are on the fretboard. Scales and chords are made up of notes so I learned how to make scales and chords with the notes. Some are easy to make and some aren't so it's a matter of trial and errors.

For me, I memorized the 5 basic scale shapes. I used this as a foundation to learn the other scales.

For chords, the shapes that the open E, A and D chord use will cover just about everything. As up move these chords up the fretboard into their barre chord shape you can cover the whole neck of the guitar. From this basis you can work on variations: minor, 7th, etc. This is how memorizing chords worked for me.

Originally Posted by: dreamtheater22For you experts, was there a specific way you memorized the scales?

Learn the reason a scale has a specific shape & sound: the scale formula. As you learn to play the shapes, associate them with how they sound.

Scales:
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=363
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=445

Do the same for chords: formula, shape, sound.

Chords:
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=824

Have fun!

Originally Posted by: Neal WalterFor me, I memorized the 5 basic scale shapes. I used this as a foundation to learn the other scales.

For chords, the shapes that the open E, A and D chord use will cover just about everything. As up move these chords up the fretboard into their barre chord shape you can cover the whole neck of the guitar. From this basis you can work on variations: minor, 7th, etc. This is how memorizing chords worked for me.

Yup, ditto on both the scales and chords

I learned C Major scale based on the patterns you do at the 1 through 5 frets, than 5-8, 8-12. So once your good with that, you arguably know all the basic scales. For example, just move that same pattern you did at the 1-5 frets to the fourth fret, your now doing Eb Major scale, pretty simple :)

Another good way to learn the scales and the modes, is you can also argue that each box pattern is actually a mode. The pattern you do at the 1-5 frets in the C Major scale is the Lydian pattern. So if you ever wanted to do G Lydian, simply go to a G on the fretboard and do that pattern, now your in G Lydian mode.

I learned each mode first, for example when I wanted to play the note G in a certain mode, I could switch the desired box to the desired note as Jarsew describes

other then that I did what Neal Walter is using for chords, you've got the three open chords that, combined with barre chords, can make most chords on your fretboard, inversions excluded of course..

learning all the notes was a bit too much for me, but might be a very good way to combine music theory with practical implication, so you're beginning to see how chords and scales are build

Originally Posted by: GuitarPsyother then that I did what Neal Walter is using for chords, you've got the three open chords that, combined with barre chords, can make most chords on your fretboard, inversions excluded of course.

That is the normal pattern of learning: first easy open chords, then barre chords. However, if you look at the chord tones (1-3-5) in any of those, especially barre chords, then inversions become much easier & immediately more practical. :)

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=148
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=730
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=731
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=733
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=734

My guitar teacher laid it out for me in 3 note per string patterns. This is the best way to learn scales because in the long run you'll be able to play much smoother and faster.

In addition to having tab he provided of all the modes I also found a good freeware program that lays out the entire first half of the fretboard(12 frets) that allows you to see scales, chords, every note at once. Do a search for Fretboard Pro It includes a fretboard memorization game that's pretty fun too.