Break free of your limiting beliefs about pentatonic scales.
The Guitar Player's Resource
Whether composing, improvising, or simply practicing technique, the importance of scales cannot be underestimated. Scales are organized sequences of notes played in an ascending or descending order that can help players build finger strength and dexterity, as well as help the improvisor/composer to establish moods and tell a story. Within any linear sequence of notes, you'll typically hear musical tension and resolution. While many guitarists begin their training with the 5-note Pentatonic scale, there is much to learn and absorb with the variety of scales that can be applied in creative ways over a myriad of chord progressions.
Here are dozens of articles by our columnists that have appeared over the years on the subject of scales, scale patterns, scale connection and more.
Break free of your limiting beliefs about pentatonic scales.
Houston guitarist Rusty Cooley figures that with ten fingers, there`s got to be times when you can use over half of them to express your ideas.
New Jersey guitarist Paul Kuntz takes time out from lunch to give you his assurance that there is life beyond the blues scale.
Don Lappin discusses the endless possibilities of the 5-tone tapping technique.
G9er Will Landrum is back to teach you the magic of turning a scale into real music.
Great scalar ideas from an award winning guitarist.
An Italian guitarist is prepared to expand your chormatic awareness.
A brand new column by Billboard Magazine Top Rated Instructor Scott Morris.
A look at ways to create scales that are not taught, but invented.
How to play the same rhythm-melodic sequence on the same beat, starting on a different sixteenth each time.
Learning the fretboard through scales by Mike Campese.
More ways to master the fretboard through the use of the pentatonic scale.