> **From theory:** [/theory/western/#scales](/theory/western/#scales).

# Scales — maps for the neck

> Interactive page: [`scales.html`](scales.html)

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](modes.md). Piano theory twin: [Piano · scales](/piano/theory.md#scales). Technique gym: [Exercises](exercises.md).

**v2 deepen:** Scales · [Modes](modes.md) · [CAGED](caged.md) · [Jazz](jazz.html) · technique gym on [Exercises](exercises.md)

> **Golden rules:** (1) Name the tonic out loud before you play. (2) One octave clean before two. (3) Squares on the neck are roots. (4) No copyrighted melodies here — formulas and feels only.

**Sources (two-check):** Hal Leonard Guitar Method (first-position major / minor reading) · Berklee guitar-lab position practice · classical method books for even left-hand tone. Modes depth: [Modes](modes.md). Shape doors: this page’s [scale-shape lab](scales.md) and [CAGED](caged.md) (v2).

On the HTML page, pick a shared root once, then Play any card. Tempo follows the metronome.

## Suggested order

1. [Major](#major-ionian) — the home map (W–W–H–W–W–W–H).
2. [Natural minor](#natural-minor-aeolian) — relative and parallel views.
3. [Major](#major-pentatonic) and [minor pentatonic](#minor-pentatonic) — five-note spines.
4. [Harmonic](#harmonic-minor) then [melodic](#melodic-minor-ascending) minor — raised leading tones.
5. [Shape systems](#scale-shape-systems) — boxes you can shift; full gym on Exercises.
6. Colour work on [Modes](modes.md); neck doors on [CAGED](caged.md).

### Three tracks

- **Beginner** — C or G major one octave · A minor pentatonic box 1. Capo off. Near 60.
- **Intermediate** — parallel major / natural minor · both pentatonics · one shape tour. 70–80 when even.
- **Advanced** — harmonic + melodic minor · connect two shapes · lean into [modes](modes.md) / [CAGED](caged.md).

## 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
```

## 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 (HTML models the ascending form).

```
From A: A B C D E F# G# A
```

## 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
```

## 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](exercises-solo.md).

```
From A: A C D E G A
```

## Scale-shape systems

Shapes are **hand maps** you shift to any root. CAGED as a course: [CAGED](caged.md).

- **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](caged.md).
- **3-notes-per-string** — seven even shapes; usual door into [mode shapes](modes.md#mode-shapes).

The HTML page embeds a compact shape lab (root · system · shape · Play / tour) using `GuitarScales.SHAPE_SYSTEMS`.

## A 10-minute scale routine

1. **2 min** — one octave of major or natural minor.
2. **3 min** — matching pentatonic up and down.
3. **3 min** — one door in the shape lab, then the next.
4. **2 min** — either a mode colour on [Modes](modes.md) or one CAGED door on [CAGED](caged.md).

### Three tracks

- **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.

---

Interactive: [`scales.html`](scales.html) · Gym: [Exercises](exercises.md) · Piano: [Learn Piano · scales](/piano/theory.md#scales)