C SCALE PATTERN - FORM ONE

There are five basic barr chord forms in common usage, and since most guitarists have a working knowledge of barr chords and how each ascends and descends chromatically, it becomes quite easy to know scales in all 12 keys.  Each scale pattern overlays its respective chord form, therefore chord harmony and arpeggio playing is locked in with the scale.  Remember, since each scale pattern moves through the entire range of the fingerboard, mastering one finger pattern actually provides you with the skill to play in all twelve keys.  A lick of solo played in one key may be played in any key without changing the fingering that produced the notes.

At the fifth fret we can play an A Major barr chord.  The scale form that produces the A chord will be an A diatonic scale.  Play the same chord form at the eighth fret, we have a C Major chord.  The scale will now be  a C diatonic scale.

Each scale pattern is a fixed position on the fingerboard.  Develop the stretch required to properly finger each scale.  This requires a one-finger-per-fret approach.  The correct fingering is indicated on the TAB charts by small encircled numbers.  Insome of the patterns you need to reach one fret above or below the basic postion, a five fret reach.  We begin each pattern with the lowest note available within the range of the pattern.  The Tonic note is marked with a black triangle.