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Posted by: Andrew6 Apr 12 2010, 04:54 AM

So I am starting to get back to learning theory.. I've just learned the 5 major/minor scale patterns. I understand the concept behind the patterns, scales , modes etc but when I am practicing this scale what should I be taking into consideration? Should I be going through the note names as I play through it or maybe the scale degree of the note? I just want to make sure I am practicing these right

Posted by: RobK87 Apr 12 2010, 05:10 AM

I would say you have already done most of it by the looks of it... and you can do those things you mentioned as they will help. The only thing to do next is to apply the things you have learned to music or playing.

Posted by: Marius Bob Apr 12 2010, 08:07 AM

the scale degree of the note gives you tonal thinking, which is very important. in this way you can create relations between scales and chords.
but both methods are ok, knowing the notes name and the scale degree of the notes.

Posted by: zen Apr 12 2010, 09:54 AM

Memorizing where the root notes are each of those patterns

Posted by: Artemus Apr 12 2010, 10:32 AM

This. Instinctively knowing where the root notes are helps you play the scale anywhere and extend the scales to the full potential. Then appreciating the degrees of the scale will give you a good ear and true understanding of how you can use the scale. Great approach to learning btw.

Posted by: Santiago Diaz Garces Apr 12 2010, 03:47 PM

Once you learned all this and then figuring out the pattern of every scale, you shouldn't have problems to play any scale in any place of the fretboard

Posted by: Zsolt Galambos Apr 13 2010, 09:04 AM

I completely agree with Santiago and Artemis. Not to mention that if you learn the shapes of each mode and you know your notes on the fretboard, you can play that mode from any note.

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Apr 13 2010, 02:42 PM

Both approaches are useful (going through notes to learn the fretboard and also thinking in scale degrees)! I can add that the best way to memorize and learn these scales is applying them right away and practicing improvisation/leads playing using those notes.

Posted by: Santiago Diaz Garces Apr 14 2010, 06:28 AM

Nice add!

Posted by: Vasilije Vukmirovic Apr 15 2010, 12:12 PM

You're doing it right. It's good to play them starting from different degrees in the scale, or let's say, to practice pentatonic modes. Also patterns are essential here, try to come up with simple combination, and then extend that to other position/shapes.

Posted by: Damir Puh Apr 15 2010, 01:35 PM

It sounds like it's time to put the knowledge in practice - get some backing tracks and improvise over them as much as you can. The scale will be usable to you only if you know it's sound in your sleep, and no theory in the world can teach you that.

When you start to feel confident with the major and minor scales, learn all the theory behind the other modes and start applying them in "real musical situations".

Posted by: Santiago Diaz Garces Apr 17 2010, 12:35 AM

As Damir said, a nice way to remind them is jamming and improvising with some backing tracks and apply them on your songs or just write some material to test your knowledge

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Apr 19 2010, 03:05 PM

AS people mentioned, you will learn where the notes and degrees are by applying it over a chord progression. This way you find out what works where. Keep it simple in the beginning. Play one chord, and play bunch of notes on top of it from scales you know. Choose the important notes, make phrases, remember the places you achieved good results, play play, practice practice..

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 20 2010, 01:10 AM

Learning the ROOT NOTES is critical in learning your scales. For whatever key you are playing, make sure you know where the root notes are for all the modes/scales you plan on using in a given solo. Otherwise, it gets very tricky knowing where to "land" or resolve your scale.

Practice!
Todd