THE SCALE IN THEORETICAL FORM

Each Diatonic Scale will have a different group of notes and a different arrangement and number of sharps or flats.  The C Major Scale C D EF G A BC, we do not have any sharps or flats, called accidentals.  the C diatonic scale is called the natural scale.

Each note of the scale is called a degree, and may be indicted by Arabic Numerals: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8.  Each degree may also be indicted by Roman Numerals.  The usage of Roman Numerals is common in chord theory studies.  A capital Roman number indicates major chords.  Small letters (i i) represents minor chords.

The Do Re Mi system of identifying scale degrees was developed as an educational aid in teaching vocalists to sing notes on pitch, Do, being the first note of a diatonic scale, the Tonic note.

The correct theoretcal name for each degree of the scale (Tonic, super Tonic, Mediant, Subdominant, dominat, submediant, Leading tone, Tonic, is commonly used in chord theory studies.

An interval is the distance between two tones.

MAJOR DIATONIC SCALE

Most modern music is not written with chromatic scales, buth with a more manageble, pleasant sounding, eight note scale called a Diatonic Scale.  The Diantonic Major Scale with its familiar DO-RE-MI-FA-SO-LA-TI-DO sound, Illustration Three, is the scale used to create the vast majority or the music guitarists encounter daily.  It is from the Diatonic Major Scale that the minor, the pentatonic, and our modal system of scales originate.  To understand the art of improvisation, we must therefore fully understand the step pattern, the degree name and number, of the diatonic scale and be able to play scales in five patterns on the fingerboard.

The Major Diatonic Scale is a predetermined pattern of eight notes arranged in five whole steps and two half steps.  A half-step is the distance of one fret on the guitar: a whole step is the distance of two frets.  A Major Diatonic Scale is a succession of tones arranged in a fixed step, half-step pattern.  The distance between notes remains constant and the interval between notes in fixed and will not change even if the music is played in another key.  We recognize a sone and can hum the melody, regardless of the key in which it is performed, thus making it possible to transpose a piece of music to different keys.

A diatonic scale may be built commencing on any of the twelve notes of the chromatic scale.  We have twelve major scales called keys.  The sound of the Major Diatonic Scale is due to the placement of the half-steps between the 3rd and 4th notes and between the 7th and 8th notes.  The resulting two-tone, interval between the 1st and 3rd notes create the scales major characteristics.

THE GUITAR FRETBOARD

The six strings of the guitar make up six chromatic scales.  Each scale starts on the note in the chromatic scale upon which the which the guitar string is tuned and continues up the neck, ascending in pitch until the tone is repeated again at the12th fret.  Twelve frets plus the open string tone equals one octave.

It is important understand the tonal relationship of chromatic scale notes, for the chromatic scale includes every pitch within an octave.  It is upon the chromatic scale we build the more simplistic scales used in establishing our musical keys: the Diatonic Major and Minor Scales.  Remember:  The chromatic scale simply represents, in alphabetical order, our interval system of notes.

It is important to memorize the fretboard.  It can be a formidable task.  However, if you start by learning the names of the open strings, the educational process can be greatly simplified by visualizing a chromatic scale in your head.

TYPES OF SCALES

All music is based on the proven scientific fact that the notes we use to create music have fixed rates of vibration which are mathematically related to one another. Each note has a pitch which we can produce vocally or with a muscial instrument. These notes, when played in fixed patterns, are called scales.

When we have two notes of the same name,, but one of different pitch, one written higher than the other and vice versa, they are said to be an octave apart. It is important to realize that an octave does not consist of 13 chord tones, but is the 13th note above the fret of a series of 12 consecutive notes. We will first look at the Chromatic scale:

The interval sequence of notes upon which all scales are built is called a Chromatic Scale. It is one octave divided into 12 tones, called half steps.

TYPES OF INTERVALS

When two tones of different pitches are played in succession , it is called a Melodic Interval. When two tones are played together, it is called a Harmonic Interval.

Unison Interval – two notes of the same letter – two notes of the same pitch.

Perfect Interval – The Unison, fourth, fifth, and octave are called Perfect intervals because they remain constant from key to key.

Minor Intervals – Lowering the upper tone, one half – step or raising the lower tone a half-step. The second, third, sixth and seventh intervals may be played as Minor Intervals.

Diminished Intervals – The diminished interval is obtained by bringing a Perfect interval or a Minor interal one half-step closer.

Augmented Intervals – The interval between two tones is expanded. Raising the upper note one half-step, or lowering the lower tone one half-step.

Tritone Interval – The interval between the fourth and fifth.

BASIC IMPROV THEORY

Here are the important definitions that you will have to memorize:

1. INTERVALS – An interval is the difference in pitch between any two notes measured in whole and half-steps. The lower tone is considered the Root or Tonic; the upper tone is the Interval.

2. SCALES – All scales are predermined pattern of notes arranged in steps and half-steps. A whole step is the distance of two frets on the guitar. Scales are depicted on the staff by notes written in ascending and descending order.

3. CHORDS – The simultaneous sounding of three or more tones called a triad. There are four types of chords and many variations of each. We have Major, Minor, Augmented, and Diminished chords, plus variations such as 6ths, 7ths, 9ths, 11th, and 13ths.

4. ARPEGGIOS – An arpeggio is some or all notes of a chord played one note at a time.

IMPROV RULES

You must learn to play scales over chords. Chords are built from scale tones. Chords are the results of harmonizing a scale, placing notes in intervals of thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, etc. on to top on each other. By playing notes of the scale of which the chord is constructed, you will learn to relate scales and chords together. When the proper scale is played over a given chord progression, we will not play any bad notes.

Here are the key elements you must understand and apply correctly in order to improvise:

You must understand the theory of intervals, scales, modes, chords, and arpeggios.
Must know and be able to play scales in five patterns.
Have a developed ear. Acquire ability to distinguish tones, intervals, and chord harmony.
Understand the principle rhythm structure of various types of music: Jazz, country, Blues, etc.
Determine Key Centers within chord progression
Develop technique to create riffs, motifs, lead lines, and how to connect them together.

WHAT IMPROV SKILLS TO DEVELOP

Every guitar player wants to create music, play in a band, or jam with friends, and be able to express themselves. If you do not develop the knowledge of scales, modes and how they play over chord progressions, you will have major frustration with your musial development. There are four fundamental aspects with you need to develop your improvasional and musical skills.

1.Choose the correct scale or mode that will play over a given chord progression, so you may always play correct notes.

2. Look at a chord progression and identify the key in which the song is written.

3. Learn to create riffs, motifs and lead lines that are correct, with no bad notes, and fit the rhythm structure of the music, so you will play the competence and flair

4. Experience playing in a variety of musical styles.