Scales — maps for the neck
v2 deepen: Scales · Modes · CAGED · Jazz · technique gym on Exercises
A scale is a map, not a song. It tells you which frets belong together under one tonic so your fingers and ear can move with intention. The big variant gym (every root × many patterns) lives on this page; mode colour lives on Modes. Piano theory twin: Piano · scales. Technique gym: Exercises.
Pick a root once, then Play any card below. One model at a time; Play becomes Stop. Tempo follows the metronome in the practice bar.
Suggested order
- Major — the home map (W–W–H–W–W–W–H).
- Natural minor — relative and parallel views.
- Major and minor pentatonic — five-note spines.
- Harmonic then melodic minor — raised leading tones.
- Shape systems — boxes you can shift; full gym on Exercises.
- Colour work on Modes; neck doors on CAGED.
Major (Ionian)
Formula: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 — intervals W–W–H–W–W–W–H. Feel: settled, bright, “home.” Same notes as Ionian mode.
From C: C D E F G A B C Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
Natural minor (Aeolian)
Formula vs major: 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7. Feel: the default sad / serious minor. Relative minor of a major starts on degree 6 (A natural minor shares notes with C major).
From A: A B C D E F G A Parallel of C major → C natural minor: C D Eb F G Ab Bb C
Harmonic minor
Formula vs natural minor: raise the 7th — 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7. Feel: classical / Spanish pull to the tonic; the ♭6–7 gap is a distinctive augmented second.
From A: A B C D E F G# A Lean on the raised 7 against the tonic.
Melodic minor (ascending)
Formula (asc.): 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7 — natural minor with raised 6 and 7 going up. Feel: jazz / classical ascending colour; many traditions descend as natural minor (we model the ascending form here).
From A: A B C D E F# G# A Same as major with a flat 3.
Major pentatonic
Formula: 1 2 3 5 6 (skip 4 and 7). Feel: open, folk / country / rock major colour without half-step tension.
From C: C D E G A C Relative to A minor pentatonic = same frets, different home.
Minor pentatonic
Formula: 1 ♭3 4 5 ♭7. Feel: the rock / blues home. Box 1 puts the root under the index on low E and high e — same map as Solo exercises · lead box 1.
From A: A C D E G A Five boxes live in the shape lab below.
Scale-shape systems
Shapes are hand maps you shift to any root. Theory of the notes is above; the doors are here. CAGED as a course: CAGED.
- Minor / major pentatonic · 5 boxes — rock and blues home.
- Major / natural minor · 5 positions — Berklee / method-book doors.
- CAGED-lite · major & minor — five named chord-form doors; depth on CAGED.
- 3-notes-per-string — seven even shapes; usual door into mode shapes.
Shape lab
A 10-minute scale routine
- 2 min — one octave of major or natural minor (shared root above).
- 3 min — matching pentatonic up and down.
- 3 min — one door in the shape lab, then the next.
- 2 min — either a mode colour on Modes or one CAGED door on CAGED.
Beginner
Major + minor pentatonic only. Stay in one position.
Intermediate
Add natural minor parallel · tour two shapes.
Advanced
Harmonic or melodic · connect CAGED · lean a mode signature.