how do I use or apply a scale in a song

I have been trying to understand the scale thing but I just cant do it. Ive been studying guitar all by myself soim having a hard time figuring it out.

First off you have to know which scale to use,and thats depends on the key the song is in. (this is where music notation comes in handy. The number of sharps and flats in the key sig can tell you). But you can always listen to the song and figure out the key.
Then once you figure that out, go to the desired scale in that key. Avoid the notes or bending dertain notes in that scale that sound whacked out played with the chord progression. Study the scales up and down the gretboard , the domniant forms and non-dom.

Lets talk about scales....

"C" is pretty darn easy so we'll start with that

If you build triads of the chord (every other note, for 3 notes starting on the root) you here different sounds:
C E G (C major)
D F A (D minor)
E G B (E minor)
F A C (F major)
G B D (G major)
A C E (A minor)
B D F [B diminished (triad form)]

Now if you have a chord progression using only these chords, then you can use the C diatonic scale. Pretty nifty huh?
But don't let that limit you... just cuz I say you "can" use those notes doesn't mean they all sound good, they are a suggestion... Many other notes (outside the scale)sound good as well.... let your ears be your guide... and fool around with arpeggios too.

modes are always bunches of fun

O so much
(wait do modes run the world? i really am startin to believe it)

While strumming out a simple chord progression like Cmaj-Gmaj. Try to hum a melody that sounds good with the chords your strumming. Once you got the melody in your head, try to figure it out using the C major scale since that is the key of the chord progression.

When it comes to writting a melody, use the C major scale starting with either the first note C, known as the root. Or the fifth note G, known as the dominant. End the diddy you come up with on C.

That's your first step in using scales, it's a pretty easy practice. Once you get through it you should see how scales and songs work. Of course you don't always have to use the C major scale, any scale or mode is roughly the same when it comes to the two above exercises. But the scale must have the same root as the chord progression, and the chord progression should be made of the chords in that scale. The second part about melody will eventually breakdown, but it's a good first step because 1) it always works and 2) its the fundamental idea of how melodies and harmony (chord progression) are constructed together.

good one noticingthemistake.
(i was gonna put some stuff like that, but I didn't have the time - go figure)

Well you got the harmony stuff down.

is a 2 year experince okay if i learn the scale or im taking it too fast? im very weak in strumming songs but a lot better when it comes to scales. faster than an average 2 year experience guy..

do I have to memorize all the scale?

Yeah. You should at least memorize the diatonic scales on the guitar. The diatonic scales are the major, minor, melodic minor, and harmonic minor. Also do your pents, major, minor, and blues minor and major. There are many other scales but I would master those first. Scales are very important if you want to advance your playing.

thanks!!!
what a warm welcome from the members of this community.

This is just a thought,

If you have a hard time strumming chords, you should work on that daily. Still work on your scales also, no doubt. But think about putting some time aside for working on your strumming.

When i first started out, i would only work on stuff i could do well..cause i was like " yay! look at me im playing gee-tar". And neglected all the other aspects of playing.

I suffer....You are the greatest. I wish I had you close by to help me out. Everytime someone ask's a question you are just so nice about your answer.

lol, thanks sme :)

Your right man..... I used to do the same thing..... I would go in and play like the solo (cuz I tried more at those) and people would be like cool...... now wheres the song?

So you practice and you'll get it. ( a message to all of you aspiring guitarists out there)

Originally posted by Rrhoads154
Your right man..... I used to do the same thing..... I would go in and play like the solo (cuz I tried more at those) and people would be like cool...... now wheres the song?

So you practice and you'll get it. ( a message to all of you aspiring guitarists out there)

I have similar experience like that but. people misunderstood me becoz in my style of playing guitar i like the solos thing more than strumming a song. I like listening to unstrumental songs... and focus more on solos hehehe