From theory — Western theory · Scales. Fretboard patterns on this page.

Scales — maps for the neck

Also in this track: Scales · Modes · CAGED · Jazz · technique gym on Hands

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. The definition lives on Western theory · Scales. Technique gym: Hands.

Fretboard shows all notes in the selected scale. Click Play buttons below to hear the scale. Tempo follows the metronome in the practice bar.

Formula:
Intervals:
Feel: 


        

        

          
        

      

      

        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.
      




    

      
Suggested order

      

        
    
          
  1. Minor pentatonic at fret 5 — the first lead box, used on
            Bends and Blues. Then major pentatonic.
    2. 
          
  2. Major — the home map (W–W–H–W–W–W–H) behind
            Chords in a key.
    3. 
          
  3. Natural minor — relative and parallel views.
    4. 
          
  4. Harmonic then melodic minor — raised leading tones.
    5. 
          
  5. Shape systems — boxes you can shift; full gym on Exercises.
    6. 
          
  6. Colour work on Modes; neck doors on CAGED.
    7. 
        



    


    

      
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.
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  • Major / natural minor · 5 positions — Berklee / method-book doors.
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  • CAGED-lite · major & minor — five named chord-form doors;
            depth on CAGED.
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  • 3-notes-per-string — seven even shapes; usual door into
            mode shapes.
    • 
        

      

      

        Compact lab: root · system · shape · Play.
        Tour all shapes when one door is clean.
      

      

        
Shape lab

        

          
          
          
          
          
        

        

        

        

          

        

        

      

    


    

      
A 10-minute scale routine

      

        
    
          
  1. 2 min — one octave of major or
            natural minor (shared root above).
    2. 
          
  2. 3 min — matching pentatonic up and down.
    3. 
          
  3. 3 min — one door in the shape lab, then the next.
    4. 
          
  4. 2 min — either a mode colour on Modes or
            one CAGED door on CAGED.
    5.