Scales and Arpeggios
How to Use This Sheet
Section titled “How to Use This Sheet”This sheet holds every scale and arpeggio of the course. Each entry is a copy of the blocks of the session that teaches it.
Use it to look a scale or an arpeggio up, and to check a recording of one: play the recording back and follow it on the TAB here.
Do not play a scale before its session. Each entry names that session.
The table is the index of the sheet. Each name is the heading of its entry below.
| Name | Taught in | Notes going up | Highest fret | Fingers used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C major scale, one octave, open position | Beginner Session 14; Session 1 here | C D E F G A B C | 3 | 1, 2, 3 |
| A minor pentatonic, open position | Beginner Session 16; Session 1 here | E G A C D E G A C D E G | 3 | 1, 2, 3 |
| A natural minor scale, one octave, open position | Session 2 | A B C D E F G A | 3 | 2, 3 |
| E minor pentatonic, two octaves, open position | Session 4 | E G A B D E G A B D E | 3 | 2, 3 |
| G major pentatonic, two octaves, open position | Session 4 | G A B D E G A B D E G | 3 | 2, 3 |
| G major scale, two octaves, open position | Session 7 | G A B C D E F# G A B C D E F# G | 4 | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| D major scale, one octave, open position | Session 15 | D E F# G A B C# D | 4 | 2, 3, 4 |
| A minor pentatonic, two octaves, fifth position | Session 21 | A C D E G A C D E G A | 8 | 1, 3, 4 |
| A blues scale, two octaves, fifth position | Session 23 | A C D Eb E G A C D Eb E G A | 8 | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| G major arpeggio, two octaves | Session 34 | G B D G B D G | 3 | 2, 3, 4 |
| A minor arpeggio, up to the open first string | Session 34 | A C E A C E | 3 | 1, 2, 3 |
An entry is laid out in this order:
- The session that teaches the scale.
- The line that begins “Copy of”: it names the session the blocks are copied from.
- The block in quarter notes, with its own line under it.
- The block in eighth notes, with its own line under it.
- The table of places: one row for each place of the scale, lowest note first, under the headings Note, String, Fret and Finger.
- The finger sentence of the scale’s position (the sentence that says which finger plays each fret), in the first entry that needs it: it is not printed again for the scales after it.
An arpeggio has one block. The two scales of the beginner course keep that course’s blocks: the C major scale has one block, in eighth notes, and the A minor pentatonic in open position has two, one going up and one coming down.
No block is changed: each is the same as in its session, character for character. No scale is drawn as a picture of the neck: its places are in a table.
Under its TAB a block has four rows: Count, Pick, Finger and Notes. The two blocks of the A minor pentatonic in open position have no Pick row. Each row is explained once, here.
A count in round brackets, such as (2), is a count on which you play nothing new: keep counting and let the note or chord ring on.
Where no & is written after a number, the note on that number lasts until the next number.
Pick: D = a downstroke, U = an upstroke, on a single string.
In the Finger row, a number is a finger of the fretting hand: 1 (index), 2 (middle), 3 (ring), 4 (little finger).
In the Finger row, a dash means an open string.
The Notes row names the note above it.
Pain rule: tender fingertips are normal. Pain in the wrist, forearm, thumb joint or knuckles, numbness or tingling, any sharp pain, or pain that lasts into the next day means stop. The full rule is in START HERE.
The figures of the exit criteria are 60 BPM in eighth notes for every scale and 70 BPM, one note per click, for the two arpeggios; this sheet names no faster figure, and the figure for this week is the one that your session and the week’s practice plan give.
In the first two weeks of the little finger at a new fret (the weeks of Sessions 7 and 8, and of Sessions 21 and 22), the session’s line that begins “Little-finger work:” holds for a scale you play from this sheet too.
C major scale, one octave, open position
Section titled “C major scale, one octave, open position”This scale is taught in Beginner Session 14. In this course you play it from Session 1.
Copy of Beginner Session 14: C major scale, one octave, open position
C Major Scale — Up and Down e|--------------------------------------|-------------------------------| B|------------------------------0---1---|---0---------------------------| G|----------------------0---2-----------|-------2---0-------------------| D|----------0---2---3-------------------|---------------3---2---0-------| A|------3-------------------------------|---------------------------3---| E|--------------------------------------|-------------------------------| Count: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 Pick: D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D Finger: 3 - 2 3 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 3 2 - 3 Notes: C D E F G A B C B A G F E D C
This is the scale up and down in eighth notes. The top C is played once; the last C lasts a full beat. In quarter notes the same notes are played one per click.
In a scale or an arpeggio the pick alternates on every note, down then up, whatever the count: in quarter notes an upstroke falls on counts 2 and 4. In a tune the pick follows the count: down on the numbers, up on the &s.
| Note | String | Fret | Finger |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 5 (A) | 3 | 3 (ring) |
| D | 4 (D) | 0 (open) | — |
| E | 4 (D) | 2 | 2 (middle) |
| F | 4 (D) | 3 | 3 (ring) |
| G | 3 (G) | 0 (open) | — |
| A | 3 (G) | 2 | 2 (middle) |
| B | 2 (B) | 0 (open) | — |
| C | 2 (B) | 1 | 1 (index) |
The fret number is the finger number: fret 1 = finger 1, fret 2 = finger 2, fret 3 = finger 3.
A minor pentatonic, open position
Section titled “A minor pentatonic, open position”This scale is taught in Beginner Session 16. In this course you play it in Session 1, and Sessions 21 and 23 bring it back.
The two blocks have no Pick row. The beginner course gives their picking in words: “Alternate picking throughout”.
Copy of Beginner Session 16: A minor pentatonic, open position
A minor pentatonic, open position: ascending (twelve notes) e|----------------------|-------------------|-----------0---3---| B|----------------------|-------------------|---1---3-----------| G|----------------------|-----------0---2---|-------------------| D|----------------------|---0---2-----------|-------------------| A|--------------0---3---|-------------------|-------------------| E|------0---3-----------|-------------------|-------------------| Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Finger: - 3 - 3 - 2 - 2 1 3 - 3 Notes: E G A C D E G A C D E G
Copy of Beginner Session 16: A minor pentatonic, open position
A minor pentatonic, open position: descending (eleven notes) e|------0---------------|-------------------|---------------| B|----------3---1-------|-------------------|---------------| G|------------------2---|---0---------------|---------------| D|----------------------|-------2---0-------|---------------| A|----------------------|---------------3---|---0-----------| E|----------------------|-------------------|-------3---0---| Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 Finger: - 3 1 2 - 2 - 3 - 3 - Notes: E D C A G E D C A G E
When you play up and then down without stopping, the top G is played once: after it, carry straight on with the descending TAB, which starts on the open string 1. That is why the descending TAB has eleven notes. The last E lasts two beats.
The count shown is for quarter notes (one note per click). In eighth notes, each printed measure lasts two beats: count “1 & 2 &”.
In eighth notes the last E lasts one beat.
String 2 is never played open in this scale (open string 2 is B, which is not one of the five notes).
| Note | String | Fret | Finger |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | 6 (low E) | 0 (open) | — |
| G | 6 (low E) | 3 | 3 (ring) |
| A | 5 (A) | 0 (open) | — |
| C | 5 (A) | 3 | 3 (ring) |
| D | 4 (D) | 0 (open) | — |
| E | 4 (D) | 2 | 2 (middle) |
| G | 3 (G) | 0 (open) | — |
| A | 3 (G) | 2 | 2 (middle) |
| C | 2 (B) | 1 | 1 (index) |
| D | 2 (B) | 3 | 3 (ring) |
| E | 1 (high e) | 0 (open) | — |
| G | 1 (high e) | 3 | 3 (ring) |
This scale has no card and is not asked for from memory.
It is not the pattern of the pentatonic pair of Session 4, which differs from it on strings 5 and 2.
The two blocks of Beginner Session 16 with hammer-ons and pull-offs are not printed here: they are in Session 23, beside that session’s daily limit for hammer-ons and pull-offs.
A natural minor scale, one octave, open position
Section titled “A natural minor scale, one octave, open position”This scale is taught in Session 2.
Copy of Session 2: A natural minor scale, one octave, open position
A natural minor scale, one octave, open position: up and down, quarter notes e|----------------------|-------------------| B|----------------------|-------------------| G|----------------------|-----------0---2---| D|------------------0---|---2---3-----------| A|------0---2---3-------|-------------------| E|----------------------|-------------------| Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Pick: D U D U D U D U Finger: - 2 3 - 2 3 - 2 Notes: A B C D E F G A e|----------------------|-------------------| B|----------------------|-------------------| G|------0---------------|-------------------| D|----------3---2---0---|-------------------| A|----------------------|---3---2---0-------| E|----------------------|-------------------| Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 (4) Pick: D U D U D U D Finger: - 3 2 - 3 2 - Notes: G F E D C B A
A natural minor scale, in quarter notes: one note per click. The top A is played once. The last A lasts two beats: let it ring while you count (4).
Copy of Session 2: A natural minor scale, one octave, open position
A natural minor scale, one octave, open position: up and down, eighth notes e|--------------------------------------|-----------------------------------| B|--------------------------------------|-----------------------------------| G|------------------------------0---2---|---0-------------------------------| D|------------------0---2---3-----------|-------3---2---0-------------------| A|------0---2---3-----------------------|-------------------3---2---0-------| E|--------------------------------------|-----------------------------------| Count: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 Pick: D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D Finger: - 2 3 - 2 3 - 2 - 3 2 - 3 2 - Notes: A B C D E F G A G F E D C B A
A natural minor scale, in eighth notes: two notes per click. The top A is played once. The last A lasts a full beat.
| Note | String | Fret | Finger |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 5 (A) | 0 (open) | — |
| B | 5 (A) | 2 | 2 (middle) |
| C | 5 (A) | 3 | 3 (ring) |
| D | 4 (D) | 0 (open) | — |
| E | 4 (D) | 2 | 2 (middle) |
| F | 4 (D) | 3 | 3 (ring) |
| G | 3 (G) | 0 (open) | — |
| A | 3 (G) | 2 | 2 (middle) |
This scale uses fingers 2 and 3 only.
It holds the seven notes of the C major scale, started from A.
E minor pentatonic, two octaves, open position
Section titled “E minor pentatonic, two octaves, open position”This scale is taught in Session 4.
Copy of Session 4: E minor pentatonic, two octaves, open position
E minor pentatonic, two octaves, open position: up and down, quarter notes e|----------------------|-------------------|-----------0-------| B|----------------------|-------------------|---0---3-------3---| G|----------------------|-----------0---2---|-------------------| D|----------------------|---0---2-----------|-------------------| A|--------------0---2---|-------------------|-------------------| E|------0---3-----------|-------------------|-------------------| Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Pick: D U D U D U D U D U D U Finger: - 3 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 3 Notes: E G A B D E G A B D E D e|----------------------|-------------------|-------------------| B|------0---------------|-------------------|-------------------| G|----------2---0-------|-------------------|-------------------| D|------------------2---|---0---------------|-------------------| A|----------------------|-------2---0-------|-------------------| E|----------------------|---------------3---|---0---------------| Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 (2) (3) (4) Pick: D U D U D U D U D Finger: - 2 - 2 - 2 - 3 - Notes: B A G E D B A G E
E minor pentatonic, in quarter notes: one note per click. The top E is played once. The last E lasts four beats: let it ring while you count (2) (3) (4).
Copy of Session 4: E minor pentatonic, two octaves, open position
E minor pentatonic, two octaves, open position: up and down, eighth notes e|--------------------------------------|-----------0-----------------------| B|--------------------------------------|---0---3-------3---0---------------| G|------------------------------0---2---|-----------------------2---0-------| D|----------------------0---2-----------|-------------------------------2---| A|--------------0---2-------------------|-----------------------------------| E|------0---3---------------------------|-----------------------------------| Count: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & Pick: D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U Finger: - 3 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 3 - 2 - 2 Notes: E G A B D E G A B D E D B A G E e|--------------------------------------| B|--------------------------------------| G|--------------------------------------| D|------0-------------------------------| A|----------2---0-----------------------| E|------------------3---0---------------| Count: 1 & 2 & 3 (4) Pick: D U D U D Finger: - 2 - 3 - Notes: D B A G E
E minor pentatonic, in eighth notes: two notes per click. The top E is played once. The last E lasts two beats: let it ring while you count (4).
The table below is printed once, for the pair: it gives the twelve places of the pattern. The run from E holds eleven of them. The run from G adds the twelfth, G on string 1 at fret 3, and leaves out the bottom E.
| Note | String | Fret | Finger | In the run from E to E | In the run from G to G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | 6 (low E) | 0 (open) | — | yes | no |
| G | 6 (low E) | 3 | 3 (ring) | yes | yes |
| A | 5 (A) | 0 (open) | — | yes | yes |
| B | 5 (A) | 2 | 2 (middle) | yes | yes |
| D | 4 (D) | 0 (open) | — | yes | yes |
| E | 4 (D) | 2 | 2 (middle) | yes | yes |
| G | 3 (G) | 0 (open) | — | yes | yes |
| A | 3 (G) | 2 | 2 (middle) | yes | yes |
| B | 2 (B) | 0 (open) | — | yes | yes |
| D | 2 (B) | 3 | 3 (ring) | yes | yes |
| E | 1 (high e) | 0 (open) | — | yes | yes |
| G | 1 (high e) | 3 | 3 (ring) | no | yes |
- Relative major and minor — A major scale and a natural minor scale that have the same notes and different home notes: G major and E natural minor. The minor’s home note is three frets below the major’s. (Session 4)
G major pentatonic, two octaves, open position
Section titled “G major pentatonic, two octaves, open position”This scale is taught in Session 4, with the scale above: together they are the pentatonic pair.
Copy of Session 4: G major pentatonic, two octaves, open position
G major pentatonic, two octaves, open position: up and down, quarter notes e|----------------------|-------------------|-------0---3---0---| B|----------------------|---------------0---|---3---------------| G|----------------------|-------0---2-------|-------------------| D|------------------0---|---2---------------|-------------------| A|----------0---2-------|-------------------|-------------------| E|------3---------------|-------------------|-------------------| Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Pick: D U D U D U D U D U D U Finger: 3 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 3 - Notes: G A B D E G A B D E G E e|----------------------|-------------------|-------------------| B|------3---0-----------|-------------------|-------------------| G|--------------2---0---|-------------------|-------------------| D|----------------------|---2---0-----------|-------------------| A|----------------------|-----------2---0---|-------------------| E|----------------------|-------------------|---3---------------| Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 (2) (3) (4) Pick: D U D U D U D U D Finger: 3 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 3 Notes: D B A G E D B A G
G major pentatonic, in quarter notes: one note per click. The top G is played once. The last G lasts four beats: let it ring while you count (2) (3) (4).
Copy of Session 4: G major pentatonic, two octaves, open position
G major pentatonic, two octaves, open position: up and down, eighth notes e|--------------------------------------|-------0---3---0-------------------| B|----------------------------------0---|---3---------------3---0-----------| G|--------------------------0---2-------|---------------------------2---0---| D|------------------0---2---------------|-----------------------------------| A|----------0---2-----------------------|-----------------------------------| E|------3-------------------------------|-----------------------------------| Count: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & Pick: D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U Finger: 3 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 3 - 3 - 2 - Notes: G A B D E G A B D E G E D B A G e|--------------------------------------| B|--------------------------------------| G|--------------------------------------| D|------2---0---------------------------| A|--------------2---0-------------------| E|----------------------3---------------| Count: 1 & 2 & 3 (4) Pick: D U D U D Finger: 2 - 2 - 3 Notes: E D B A G
G major pentatonic, in eighth notes: two notes per click. The top G is played once. The last G lasts two beats: let it ring while you count (4).
- Major pentatonic scale — A five-note scale: a major scale without its fourth and seventh notes. G major pentatonic is G, A, B, D, E, the same five notes as E minor pentatonic with G as the home note. (Session 4)
Its places are in the table of the twelve places under “E minor pentatonic, two octaves, open position” above: the same places, started from G, as the column “In the run from G to G” marks them.
G major scale, two octaves, open position
Section titled “G major scale, two octaves, open position”This scale is taught in Session 7.
Pain rule: tender fingertips are normal. Pain in the wrist, forearm, thumb joint or knuckles, numbness or tingling, any sharp pain, or pain that lasts into the next day means stop. The full rule is in START HERE.
Copy of Session 7: G major scale, two octaves, open position
G major scale, two octaves, open position: up and down, quarter notes e|----------------------|-------------------|-------------------| B|----------------------|-------------------|-------0---1---3---| G|----------------------|---------------0---|---2---------------| D|----------------------|---0---2---4-------|-------------------| A|----------0---2---3---|-------------------|-------------------| E|------3---------------|-------------------|-------------------| Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Pick: D U D U D U D U D U D U Finger: 3 - 2 3 - 2 4 - 2 - 1 3 Notes: G A B C D E F# G A B C D e|------0---2---3---2---|---0---------------|-------------------| B|----------------------|-------3---1---0---|-------------------| G|----------------------|-------------------|---2---0-----------| D|----------------------|-------------------|-----------4---2---| A|----------------------|-------------------|-------------------| E|----------------------|-------------------|-------------------| Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Pick: D U D U D U D U D U D U Finger: - 2 3 2 - 3 1 - 2 - 4 2 Notes: E F# G F# E D C B A G F# E e|----------------------|-------------------| B|----------------------|-------------------| G|----------------------|-------------------| D|------0---------------|-------------------| A|----------3---2---0---|-------------------| E|----------------------|---3---------------| Count: 1 2 3 4 1 (2) (3) (4) Pick: D U D U D Finger: - 3 2 - 3 Notes: D C B A G
G major scale, in quarter notes: one note per click. The top G is played once. The last G lasts four beats: let it ring while you count (2) (3) (4).
Copy of Session 7: G major scale, two octaves, open position
G major scale, two octaves, open position: up and down, eighth notes e|--------------------------------------|-------------------0---2---3---2---| B|--------------------------------------|-------0---1---3-------------------| G|----------------------------------0---|---2-------------------------------| D|----------------------0---2---4-------|-----------------------------------| A|----------0---2---3-------------------|-----------------------------------| E|------3-------------------------------|-----------------------------------| Count: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & Pick: D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U Finger: 3 - 2 3 - 2 4 - 2 - 1 3 - 2 3 2 Notes: G A B C D E F# G A B C D E F# G F# e|------0-------------------------------|-----------------------------------| B|----------3---1---0-------------------|-----------------------------------| G|----------------------2---0-----------|-----------------------------------| D|------------------------------4---2---|---0-------------------------------| A|--------------------------------------|-------3---2---0-------------------| E|--------------------------------------|-------------------3---------------| Count: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 (4) Pick: D U D U D U D U D U D U D Finger: - 3 1 - 2 - 4 2 - 3 2 - 3 Notes: E D C B A G F# E D C B A G
G major scale, in eighth notes: two notes per click. The top G is played once. The last G lasts two beats: let it ring while you count (4).
| Note | String | Fret | Finger |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | 6 (low E) | 3 | 3 (ring) |
| A | 5 (A) | 0 (open) | — |
| B | 5 (A) | 2 | 2 (middle) |
| C | 5 (A) | 3 | 3 (ring) |
| D | 4 (D) | 0 (open) | — |
| E | 4 (D) | 2 | 2 (middle) |
| F# | 4 (D) | 4 | 4 (little finger) |
| G | 3 (G) | 0 (open) | — |
| A | 3 (G) | 2 | 2 (middle) |
| B | 2 (B) | 0 (open) | — |
| C | 2 (B) | 1 | 1 (index) |
| D | 2 (B) | 3 | 3 (ring) |
| E | 1 (high e) | 0 (open) | — |
| F# | 1 (high e) | 2 | 2 (middle) |
| G | 1 (high e) | 3 | 3 (ring) |
Finger 4 (little finger) plays fret 4.
In open position the fret number is the finger number: fret 1 = finger 1, fret 2 = finger 2, fret 3 = finger 3, fret 4 = finger 4 (little finger).
If a note buzzes: (1) move the fingertip right up behind the fret wire; (2) stand the finger on its tip; (3) only then add the smallest extra pressure that clears the buzz.
D major scale, one octave, open position
Section titled “D major scale, one octave, open position”This scale is taught in Session 15.
Pain rule: tender fingertips are normal. Pain in the wrist, forearm, thumb joint or knuckles, numbness or tingling, any sharp pain, or pain that lasts into the next day means stop. The full rule is in START HERE.
Copy of Session 15: D major scale, one octave, open position
D major scale, one octave, open position: up and down, quarter notes e|----------------------|-------------------| B|----------------------|-------0---2---3---| G|------------------0---|---2---------------| D|------0---2---4-------|-------------------| A|----------------------|-------------------| E|----------------------|-------------------| Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Pick: D U D U D U D U Finger: - 2 4 - 2 - 2 3 Notes: D E F# G A B C# D e|----------------------|-------------------| B|------2---0-----------|-------------------| G|--------------2---0---|-------------------| D|----------------------|---4---2---0-------| A|----------------------|-------------------| E|----------------------|-------------------| Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 (4) Pick: D U D U D U D Finger: 2 - 2 - 4 2 - Notes: C# B A G F# E D
D major scale, in quarter notes: one note per click. The top D is played once. The last D lasts two beats: let it ring while you count (4).
Copy of Session 15: D major scale, one octave, open position
D major scale, one octave, open position: up and down, eighth notes e|--------------------------------------|-----------------------------------| B|--------------------------0---2---3---|---2---0---------------------------| G|------------------0---2---------------|-----------2---0-------------------| D|------0---2---4-----------------------|-------------------4---2---0-------| A|--------------------------------------|-----------------------------------| E|--------------------------------------|-----------------------------------| Count: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 Pick: D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D Finger: - 2 4 - 2 - 2 3 2 - 2 - 4 2 - Notes: D E F# G A B C# D C# B A G F# E D
D major scale, in eighth notes: two notes per click. The top D is played once. The last D lasts a full beat.
| Note | String | Fret | Finger |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | 4 (D) | 0 (open) | — |
| E | 4 (D) | 2 | 2 (middle) |
| F# | 4 (D) | 4 | 4 (little finger) |
| G | 3 (G) | 0 (open) | — |
| A | 3 (G) | 2 | 2 (middle) |
| B | 2 (B) | 0 (open) | — |
| C# | 2 (B) | 2 | 2 (middle) |
| D | 2 (B) | 3 | 3 (ring) |
The finger sentence for this scale is the one printed under “G major scale, two octaves, open position” above.
A minor pentatonic, two octaves, fifth position
Section titled “A minor pentatonic, two octaves, fifth position”This scale is taught in Session 21.
- Fifth position — The position in which finger 1 plays fret 5, finger 2 fret 6, finger 3 fret 7 and finger 4 (little finger) fret 8. (Session 21)
Move your whole hand along the neck, thumb travelling with it. This is a shift, not a stretch.
Stop when finger 1 is over fret 5.
If it pulls, stop that item for today; if it aches, stop playing for today.
In fifth position, fret 5 = finger 1, fret 6 = finger 2, fret 7 = finger 3 and fret 8 = finger 4 (little finger).
Pain rule: tender fingertips are normal. Pain in the wrist, forearm, thumb joint or knuckles, numbness or tingling, any sharp pain, or pain that lasts into the next day means stop. The full rule is in START HERE.
Copy of Session 21: A minor pentatonic, two octaves, fifth position
A minor pentatonic, two octaves, fifth position: up and down, quarter notes e|----------------------|-------------------|-----------5-------| B|----------------------|-------------------|---5---8-------8---| G|----------------------|-----------5---7---|-------------------| D|----------------------|---5---7-----------|-------------------| A|--------------5---7---|-------------------|-------------------| E|------5---8-----------|-------------------|-------------------| Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Pick: D U D U D U D U D U D U Finger: 1 4 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 4 1 4 Notes: A C D E G A C D E G A G e|----------------------|-------------------|-------------------| B|------5---------------|-------------------|-------------------| G|----------7---5-------|-------------------|-------------------| D|------------------7---|---5---------------|-------------------| A|----------------------|-------7---5-------|-------------------| E|----------------------|---------------8---|---5---------------| Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 (2) (3) (4) Pick: D U D U D U D U D Finger: 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 4 1 Notes: E D C A G E D C A
A minor pentatonic in fifth position, in quarter notes: one note per click. The top A is played once. The last A lasts four beats: let it ring while you count (2) (3) (4).
Copy of Session 21: A minor pentatonic, two octaves, fifth position
A minor pentatonic, two octaves, fifth position: up and down, eighth notes e|--------------------------------------|-----------5-----------------------| B|--------------------------------------|---5---8-------8---5---------------| G|------------------------------5---7---|-----------------------7---5-------| D|----------------------5---7-----------|-------------------------------7---| A|--------------5---7-------------------|-----------------------------------| E|------5---8---------------------------|-----------------------------------| Count: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & Pick: D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U Finger: 1 4 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 4 1 4 1 3 1 3 Notes: A C D E G A C D E G A G E D C A e|--------------------------------------| B|--------------------------------------| G|--------------------------------------| D|------5-------------------------------| A|----------7---5-----------------------| E|------------------8---5---------------| Count: 1 & 2 & 3 (4) Pick: D U D U D Finger: 1 3 1 4 1 Notes: G E D C A
A minor pentatonic in fifth position, in eighth notes: two notes per click. The top A is played once. The last A lasts two beats: let it ring while you count (4).
| Note | String | Fret | Finger |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 6 (low E) | 5 | 1 (index) |
| C | 6 (low E) | 8 | 4 (little finger) |
| D | 5 (A) | 5 | 1 (index) |
| E | 5 (A) | 7 | 3 (ring) |
| G | 4 (D) | 5 | 1 (index) |
| A | 4 (D) | 7 | 3 (ring) |
| C | 3 (G) | 5 | 1 (index) |
| D | 3 (G) | 7 | 3 (ring) |
| E | 2 (B) | 5 | 1 (index) |
| G | 2 (B) | 8 | 4 (little finger) |
| A | 1 (high e) | 5 | 1 (index) |
The table below sets A minor pentatonic in open position (the beginner course’s pattern) beside A minor pentatonic in fifth position: every place of both, lowest note first. Ten of the notes are in both positions at the same pitch. The two lowest, E and G on string 6, are only in open position; the two highest, A and C on string 1, are only in fifth position. That C, on string 1 at fret 8, lies above the top A of the blocks and is not part of the two-octave run.
| Note | Position | String | Fret | Same pitch in the other position? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | open position | 6 (low E) | 0 (open) | only in this position |
| G | open position | 6 (low E) | 3 | only in this position |
| A | open position | 5 (A) | 0 (open) | the same note is in both positions |
| A | fifth position | 6 (low E) | 5 | the same note is in both positions |
| C | open position | 5 (A) | 3 | the same note is in both positions |
| C | fifth position | 6 (low E) | 8 | the same note is in both positions |
| D | open position | 4 (D) | 0 (open) | the same note is in both positions |
| D | fifth position | 5 (A) | 5 | the same note is in both positions |
| E | open position | 4 (D) | 2 | the same note is in both positions |
| E | fifth position | 5 (A) | 7 | the same note is in both positions |
| G | open position | 3 (G) | 0 (open) | the same note is in both positions |
| G | fifth position | 4 (D) | 5 | the same note is in both positions |
| A | open position | 3 (G) | 2 | the same note is in both positions |
| A | fifth position | 4 (D) | 7 | the same note is in both positions |
| C | open position | 2 (B) | 1 | the same note is in both positions |
| C | fifth position | 3 (G) | 5 | the same note is in both positions |
| D | open position | 2 (B) | 3 | the same note is in both positions |
| D | fifth position | 3 (G) | 7 | the same note is in both positions |
| E | open position | 1 (high e) | 0 (open) | the same note is in both positions |
| E | fifth position | 2 (B) | 5 | the same note is in both positions |
| G | open position | 1 (high e) | 3 | the same note is in both positions |
| G | fifth position | 2 (B) | 8 | the same note is in both positions |
| A | fifth position | 1 (high e) | 5 | only in this position |
| C | fifth position | 1 (high e) | 8 | only in this position |
A position is named by the fret that finger 1 plays: in fifth position finger 1 plays fret 5 and finger 4 (little finger) plays fret 8. A scale moved to a new position keeps its note names and changes its strings and frets: A minor pentatonic is A, C, D, E, G in open position and in fifth position.
A blues scale, two octaves, fifth position
Section titled “A blues scale, two octaves, fifth position”This scale is taught in Session 23.
Pain rule: tender fingertips are normal. Pain in the wrist, forearm, thumb joint or knuckles, numbness or tingling, any sharp pain, or pain that lasts into the next day means stop. The full rule is in START HERE.
Copy of Session 23: A blues scale, two octaves, fifth position
A blues scale, two octaves, fifth position: up and down, quarter notes e|----------------------|-------------------|-------------------| B|----------------------|-------------------|-----------5---8---| G|----------------------|---------------5---|---7---8-----------| D|----------------------|-------5---7-------|-------------------| A|--------------5---6---|---7---------------|-------------------| E|------5---8-----------|-------------------|-------------------| Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Pick: D U D U D U D U D U D U Finger: 1 4 1 2 3 1 3 1 3 4 1 4 Notes: A C D Eb E G A C D Eb E G e|------5---------------|-------------------|-------------------| B|----------8---5-------|-------------------|-------------------| G|------------------8---|---7---5-----------|-------------------| D|----------------------|-----------7---5---|-------------------| A|----------------------|-------------------|---7---6---5-------| E|----------------------|-------------------|---------------8---| Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Pick: D U D U D U D U D U D U Finger: 1 4 1 4 3 1 3 1 3 2 1 4 Notes: A G E Eb D C A G E Eb D C e|----------------------| B|----------------------| G|----------------------| D|----------------------| A|----------------------| E|------5---------------| Count: 1 (2) (3) (4) Pick: D Finger: 1 Notes: A
A blues scale, in quarter notes: one note per click. The top A is played once. The last A lasts four beats: let it ring while you count (2) (3) (4).
Copy of Session 23: A blues scale, two octaves, fifth position
A blues scale, two octaves, fifth position: up and down, eighth notes e|--------------------------------------|-------------------5---------------| B|--------------------------------------|-----------5---8-------8---5-------| G|----------------------------------5---|---7---8-----------------------8---| D|--------------------------5---7-------|-----------------------------------| A|--------------5---6---7---------------|-----------------------------------| E|------5---8---------------------------|-----------------------------------| Count: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & Pick: D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U Finger: 1 4 1 2 3 1 3 1 3 4 1 4 1 4 1 4 Notes: A C D Eb E G A C D Eb E G A G E Eb e|--------------------------------------|-------------------| B|--------------------------------------|-------------------| G|------7---5---------------------------|-------------------| D|--------------7---5-------------------|-------------------| A|----------------------7---6---5-------|-------------------| E|----------------------------------8---|---5---------------| Count: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 (2) (3) (4) Pick: D U D U D U D U D Finger: 3 1 3 1 3 2 1 4 1 Notes: D C A G E Eb D C A
A blues scale, in eighth notes: two notes per click. The top A is played once. The last A lasts four beats: let it ring while you count (2) (3) (4).
| Note | String | Fret | Finger |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 6 (low E) | 5 | 1 (index) |
| C | 6 (low E) | 8 | 4 (little finger) |
| D | 5 (A) | 5 | 1 (index) |
| Eb | 5 (A) | 6 | 2 (middle) |
| E | 5 (A) | 7 | 3 (ring) |
| G | 4 (D) | 5 | 1 (index) |
| A | 4 (D) | 7 | 3 (ring) |
| C | 3 (G) | 5 | 1 (index) |
| D | 3 (G) | 7 | 3 (ring) |
| Eb | 3 (G) | 8 | 4 (little finger) |
| E | 2 (B) | 5 | 1 (index) |
| G | 2 (B) | 8 | 4 (little finger) |
| A | 1 (high e) | 5 | 1 (index) |
The added note is printed Eb in the Notes row and in a table, and written “E flat” in a sentence. It is one fret with two names, D sharp and E flat.
The blues scale is the minor pentatonic scale with one note added, one fret above its third note (in A: D). In A the added note is E flat (the same fret as D sharp), six frets above the home note.
G major arpeggio, two octaves
Section titled “G major arpeggio, two octaves”This arpeggio is taught in Session 34. It has one block: an arpeggio is printed in quarter notes only.
- Arpeggio (as a technical exercise) — The notes of one chord played one at a time in order of pitch, going up and then down, like a scale made only of that chord’s notes. The G major arpeggio goes up G, B, D, G, B, D, G and comes back down by the same notes. (Session 34)
Copy of Session 34: G major arpeggio, two octaves
G major arpeggio, two octaves: up and down, quarter notes e|----------------------|-----------3-------| B|----------------------|---0---3-------3---| G|------------------0---|-------------------| D|--------------0-------|-------------------| A|----------2-----------|-------------------| E|------3---------------|-------------------| Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Pick: D U D U D U D U Finger: 3 2 - - - 3 4 3 Notes: G B D G B D G D e|----------------------|-------------------| B|------0---------------|-------------------| G|----------0-----------|-------------------| D|--------------0-------|-------------------| A|------------------2---|-------------------| E|----------------------|---3---------------| Count: 1 2 3 4 1 (2) (3) (4) Pick: D U D U D Finger: - - - 2 3 Notes: B G D B G
G major arpeggio: one note per click. The top G is played once. The last G lasts four beats: let it ring while you count (2) (3) (4).
G major arpeggio, the fingers: finger 3 plays G on string 6 and D on string 2, both at fret 3; finger 2 plays B on string 5 at fret 2; finger 4 (little finger) plays the top G on string 1 at fret 3, as it does in the G chord.
| Note | String | Fret | Finger |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | 6 (low E) | 3 | 3 (ring) |
| B | 5 (A) | 2 | 2 (middle) |
| D | 4 (D) | 0 (open) | — |
| G | 3 (G) | 0 (open) | — |
| B | 2 (B) | 0 (open) | — |
| D | 2 (B) | 3 | 3 (ring) |
| G | 1 (high e) | 3 | 4 (little finger) |
A minor arpeggio, up to the open first string
Section titled “A minor arpeggio, up to the open first string”This arpeggio is taught in Session 34. It has one block.
Copy of Session 34: A minor arpeggio, up to the open first string
A minor arpeggio, up to the open first string: up and down, quarter notes e|----------------------|-------0-----------| B|----------------------|---1-------1-------| G|------------------2---|---------------2---| D|--------------2-------|-------------------| A|------0---3-----------|-------------------| E|----------------------|-------------------| Count: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Pick: D U D U D U D U Finger: - 3 2 3 1 - 1 3 Notes: A C E A C E C A e|----------------------| B|----------------------| G|----------------------| D|------2---------------| A|----------3---0-------| E|----------------------| Count: 1 2 3 (4) Pick: D U D Finger: 2 3 - Notes: E C A
A minor arpeggio: one note per click. The top E is played once. The last A lasts two beats: let it ring while you count (4).
A minor arpeggio, the fingers: finger 3 plays C on string 5 at fret 3 and A on string 3 at fret 2, the move it makes between the C chord and the Am chord; finger 2 plays E on string 4 at fret 2; finger 1 plays C on string 2 at fret 1.
| Note | String | Fret | Finger |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 5 (A) | 0 (open) | — |
| C | 5 (A) | 3 | 3 (ring) |
| E | 4 (D) | 2 | 2 (middle) |
| A | 3 (G) | 2 | 3 (ring) |
| C | 2 (B) | 1 | 1 (index) |
| E | 1 (high e) | 0 (open) | — |
Scale Cards
Section titled “Scale Cards”Scale card: shuffle the pile and draw one card. Play that scale from memory, up and down, in eighth notes at 60 BPM, twice. Then look at its TAB in the Scales and Arpeggios sheet. If a note was wrong, or you were not sure of one, play the scale once from the TAB and once more from memory.
The eight scale cards, each with the session from which it is in the rotation pile:
| The words on the card | In the pile from Session |
|---|---|
| C major scale, one octave, open position | 7 |
| A natural minor scale, one octave, open position | 7 |
| E minor pentatonic, two octaves, open position | 9 |
| G major pentatonic, two octaves, open position | 9 |
| G major scale, two octaves, open position | 12 |
| D major scale, one octave, open position | 20 |
| A minor pentatonic, two octaves, fifth position | 26 |
| A blues scale, two octaves, fifth position | 27 |
Check a card against its eighth-note block on this sheet.