Major Scale Positions on Guitar
Learn the five major scale positions in one key (G major on the sheet), one position at a time. Play each shape from the lowest to the highest note and back, then from root to root. Finally play the connecting exercises that move between neighbouring positions. Use a metronome.
G major scale, position at fret 2
G major scale, position at fret 4
G major scale, position at fret 7
G major scale, position at fret 9
G major scale, position at fret 12
Goal
Know the major scale across the whole neck, in five connected shapes. This is the foundation for soloing in any key and for understanding modes.
How to practise
- One new position per week. Keep revising the ones you already know.
- Start from the lowest root, play up to the highest note in the position, down to the lowest, and back to the root.
- Metronome at 60 BPM, eighth notes. Raise the tempo by 5 BPM after clean repetitions.
- Say degrees, not only notes. It makes the shapes work in every key.
- Connect positions: play up a string in one position and shift into the next.
- Then move the whole system to other keys: C, D, A, E.
Self-check
Can you play each position starting at any random note? Can you find the root quickly in every position? Check yourself against the scale explorer.
Next steps
Read the major scale, the CAGED system and modes. Print a blank guitar fretboard to draw the shapes from memory, and follow the intermediate guitar path.