Guitar with notebook of chords and lyrics

Basics of Guitar Modes

Guitar modes can be a confusing topic. In this lesson we’ll take a simplified look at the major scale modes and see if we can bring some clarity to the concept.

Positional playing on guitar

Positional Playing on Guitar

As guitarists, once we learn the pentatonic boxes we seem to immediately strive to get “out of the box” and extend our playing up and down the fretboard. However, what if instead of trying to get out of the box, we seek to maximize what each box position has to offer?

Man playing acoustic guitar

G Major Scale on Guitar: Positions & Theory

In this lesson we’re going to take a deep dive into the G major scale on guitar. We’ll look at the intervals and notes that make up the scale, the five positions and patterns for the scale, chords that are built from the G major scale, and also look at some song examples based in the key of G major.

D major scale hero image of guitar

D Major Scale on Guitar: Positions & Theory

In this lesson we’re going to take a deeper look at the D major scale, which is another commonly used scale in popular music. We’ll take a look at the notes, intervals, scale positions and chords that make up the key of D major.

C major scale theory

C Major Scale on Guitar: Positions & Theory

In this lesson we’re going to dive into the ever popular C major scale. This scale is very common and is used as the key center of countless songs. It’s happy sounding scale and typically one of the first scales guitar players learn.

Slash of Guns N' Roses playing guitar By Rockman - Own work, CC BY 3.0, Link
Building chords from the major scale

Major Scale Chords: What they are and how to build them

Building chords from the major scale sets the foundation for writing and understanding chord progressions, transposing to other keys, and developing your ear as a guitarist. In this lesson you’ll learn how chords are constructed from the major scale by stacking 3rds, what determines the quality of these chords, and how these chords map to the fretboard.

Major scale on guitar hero image

The Major Scale: Patterns, Positions, & Theory

The major scale is the centerpiece of music theory and probably the most commonly used scale in music.  In order to understand chords and other scales, you need to first understand the major scale. In this lesson we will take a look at what makes up the major scale and the major scale patterns on the guitar.