Hey GMCers,

I'm wondering when should I start learning scales?

I have friends I play with, most have been playing for years and are pros, and they say I should learn several chords, songs, strumming patterns, and basic to intermediate theory before I learn scales.

Regarsds,

Chief Otto

You should always learn chords man At least, A, Am, C, D, Dm, E, Em, F, G and the two main barchord shapes and how to use them Strumming patterns are optional, I've never learned them. Then start playing the pentatonic scale, and work your way there

If you learn a couple of boxes of the minor pentatonic scale and if you try to improvise over a 12-bar blues progression.. well, nothing's wrong, in my opinion

I would say that once you learn your basic chords and most important - intervals, you should go ahead and learn your first scale (Major scale). You should start early with it as theory is scales so you can't learn intermediate theory and do not know your basic scales.

Thing with scales is that you don't relay on them as shapes or something rather learn them in contest with the chords and improvisation. That is where solo lessons on GMC come into place. They often revolve around one scale and you want to learn how those scale notes were fitted together to make a cool sounding solo.

So start learning shapes and scale formulas and then apply them immediately over some backing tracks (chords).

Thank you all for your responses.

Special thanks to Bogdan for your detailed response.

I'm going to start easing scales into my practice schedule.

Warmest Regards,

Chief O.

I have to say that adding variety to your practice is always a plus. If you are looking to expand you can always balance your sessions with a little scale practice. It would be a good introduction to them. Also what Jerry said about learning a couple of boxes can help you further understand the relationship between the scales.

All these responses are great ones.....Only thing I have to add to this is: If you want to learn them, go for it! Whatever you are motivated to do is what you should work at.

For example, lets say that I am really amped up to learn the guitar solo in a difficult song, but it seems I should learn an easier solo first and gradually work up to it, I may tend to lose my motivation because what I really want to do is work on that 1 solo. Hope that example makes sense.

You are absolutely correct. Motivation is keeps us improving ourselves.

Dogukan,

In my experience, playing simple melodies, as in only one note at a time, was actualy much easier then even the open chords, so i wouldt say you should try it out. Ofcourse my experience might not be the same as yours, but try it out, you might find that it is not that difficult.

Hello there m8, im also a begginer like you (been playing for something more than 3 months), i started learning scales on my very first days, scales are 1 of the most important things to learn on the guitar,cause u can understand the guitar better and when you learn how to play a bit u'll be able to improvise.Something that can also help u understand the connection between scales is the circle of fifths, check it out, it will help u understand how scales are related together.

I agree wholeheartedly... from experience this is definitely the most enduring way to learning something. If something resonates with you, whether it's learning the pentatonic scale or a major scale, then follow that road as it will be easier to soak up the information seeing as you're enjoying it etc..

There's no specific order for learning things either.. if you follow the things that immediately inspire you then all things you need and want to learn will also fall into place when you're ready to receive them

I agree with all the advice the others said too.. if you apply the above to it, you're more likely to stay inspired and avoid becoming bored or discouraged

Very good advice Bill, this is true, and I support the idea of learning theory in parallel, so there is clear awareness why scales exist and how they are structured together.