Grid Pattern


ken.simeral
Registered User
Joined: 08/27/18
Posts: 2
ken.simeral
Registered User
Joined: 08/27/18
Posts: 2
10/05/2018 12:47 am

In Basic Guitar Fundamentals 2, Lisa shows us the movable grid pattern. Does this grid pattern work across all six strings? Is it only for major notes? I seem to be confused on what should be a simple strategy. Might I be running into exceptions to the rule or am I just not doing it correctly? I have been enjoying the course and Lisa's teaching style. Ken


Peace, Ken

# 1
ChristopherSchlegel
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Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
10/05/2018 1:27 pm

Hey, Ken! Glad you are enjoying Lisa's GF lessons. Which scale lesson are you working on?

Originally Posted by: ken.simeral

Does this grid pattern work across all six strings?

[/quote]

Depends on which pattern. In general scale patterns work well as you slide them up & down the fretboard, while staying on the same strings. But since the G & B strings are tuned differently than the other strings, the patterns have to be adjusted if they land on or cross those 2 strings.

For example if you play the G major scale starting on the low E string you get this shape.

|---------------------------------------------|[br]|---------------------------------------------|[br]|---------------------0----------------------|[br]|-------------0-2-4-------------------------|[br]|-----0-2-3---------------------------------|[br]|--3-----------------------------------------|

And if you slide it up the fretboard you can play the A major scale using the same shape.

|---------------------------------------------|[br]|---------------------------------------------|[br]|----------------------2---------------------|[br]|--------------2-4-6------------------------|[br]|------2-4-5--------------------------------|[br]|---5----------------------------------------|

However if you try to move that shape up the next set of strings & start the scale on the note C to play the C major scale, you find that the pattern has changed when you cross the G to B string.

|-----------------------------------------------|[br]|----------------------1-----------------------|[br]|--------------0-2-4--------------------------|[br]|------0-2-3----------------------------------|[br]|---3------------------------------------------|[br]|----------------------------------------------|

The top note, the 8th or octave of the C scale is one fret higher to compensate for the B string being tuned 1 fret lower!

Ultimately, it's important to grasp that scales are formed by specific intervals (distances between the notes) that make certain sounds. And the intervals always remain the same, even though they can form different patterns on the fretboard.

But for now just practice the patterns as they occur in the course. There will be plently of time to worry about all these shifting patterns as you progress through the course & in your learning.

[quote=ken.simeral]

Is it only for major notes?

Every major scale has the exact same interval formula, but might form different patterns on the fretboard depending on where you start. Lisa mentions this in this lesson.

https://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=24485&s_id=2010

Hope this helps! Please ask more if necessary. Best of success!


Christopher Schlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor

Christopher Schlegel Lesson Directory
# 2
ken.simeral
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Joined: 08/27/18
Posts: 2
ken.simeral
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Joined: 08/27/18
Posts: 2
10/06/2018 2:12 pm

Christopher, Thanks for clearing that up. I am working on the A & C scales. It makes perfect sense the way you explained it. If all the major notes were equal distances apart there would be a pattern that would work across the entire fretboard, but since B&C and E&F are only a half step apart, well, there's the wrinkle. Peace. Ken


Peace, Ken

# 3
ChristopherSchlegel
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Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
ChristopherSchlegel
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Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
10/07/2018 2:26 pm

Glad to clear up the confusion!

Originally Posted by: ken.simeral

If all the major notes were equal distances apart there would be a pattern that would work across the entire fretboard ...[/quote][p]Except for crossing the G & B strings!

[quote=ken.simeral]

but since B&C and E&F are only a half step apart, well, there's the wrinkle.

Yes, those half step intervals in the major scale can trip you up! Also, be aware that in different scales those half steps land on different musical notes.

That's why it so important to understand the scale formulas. And the half steps in a major scale are between the 3rd & 4th degree & the 7th & root.

You might find my older tutorials on scales helpful.

C major scale

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=363

A minor scale

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=445

C minor scale (for contrast)

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=446

Hope that helps! Have fun with scales!


Christopher Schlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor

Christopher Schlegel Lesson Directory
# 4

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