On the guitar, there are many useful patterns to learn for scales, chords, arpeggios, and such. The neat thing about the guitar in standard tuning is that these patterns can be used over and over again in different positions to produce a different scale, chord, arpeggio, and so on. All a guitarist has to do is simply place the root on the note desired, and then they will have the desired scale, chord, arpeggio and such. It is that easy!
A developing guitarist should spend time learning the five essential guitar chords in open position. They are the chords C major, A major, G major, E major, and D major. The chords listed produce the word CAGED. Moreover, each chord will have a scale pattern associated with it, so there will be five essential major scales, as well as, five essential pentatonic major scales – and so on.
CAGED Chords
The major chords C, A, G, E, and D follow a distinct pattern (see link below). These five chords are also known as The Fundamental Chord Forms in Open Position. A guitarist, who knows the forms well, will know the fretboard keenly and how it is organized.
The Fundamental Chord Forms in Open Position repeat along the length of the fretboard. The pattern is the same no matter what root note one chooses. All one has to do is shift the patterns up or down the fretboard -- Move the whole pattern up to D and one will produce the chord spread for D major. In addition, a guitarist can form scale patterns around the five essential chord forms. The scale patterns also repeat (see link below).
Pentatonic and Major Scales
The major and pentatonic (five tone) major scales are shown below for the key of C major. If a guitarist wants to play any of the scales in a different key, they just have to move the patterns up or down the fretboard to the desired (root) note. For the key of D major, move the root of the pattern to a D note. For the key of G major, move the patterns so the root location falls on a G note.
All guitarists should learn the five scale patterns, and then practice them in different keys by re-positioning the root.
Scale and Chord Patterns are useful:
- Because they usually are movable, one pattern for all.
- Since they help a guitarist play in any key.
- Since they help a guitarist to learn the fretboard.
- Because it is easier to remember one pattern for all keys.
- Because they help a guitarist to solo.
- Because they help a guitarist to improvise.
When it comes to learning chords, it is good practice to know how to play any given chord in at least three different positions on the fretboard. When it comes to the scales, it is good practice to be able to name the key and the individual notes of the scale. Knowing the essential chords (CAGED chords) helps a guitarist to do this.
Five Essential Scales
In addition, a developing guitarist will play the five essential scales (pentatonic and major) all ascending and descending. They will also play them using different note values (whole, half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth) and different tempos.
The repeating nature of the guitar is exciting! It allows a guitarist to master the organization of the fretboard in minimal time. One pattern can be used over and over for all the different keys. The guitar’s organization has an advantage over the piano in this regard. There is no need to memorize a different pattern for all 12 keys – five patterns will do just fine.
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