The Right Way To Practice SCALES On Guitar

Lately a lot of guitarists say that you don't need to learn scales on your guitar, because scales make you sound bad and you can't use them to make music.

Well, how about if instead we find a good way to practice scales that makes them more fun, useful, and creative way?

0:00 You don't need to learn scales?
0:21 WARNING: one minute of sarcasm
1:21 The WRONG way to learn scales
2:48 Learning scales in a musical way
4:00 Pentatonic Example 1
5:57 Pentatonic Example 2
6:28 Pentatonic Example 3 (Eric Johnson)
7:10 Pentatonic Example 4
7:21 Pentatonic Example 5
7:29 Diatonic Example 1
8:36 Diatonic Example 2
9:33 Diatonic Example 3
9:56 Diatonic Example 4
10:09 Diatonic Example 5
10:36 Diatonic Example 6
11:14 Pentatonic Example 6
12:40 How do I use this in improvisation?

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[MusicTheoryForGuitar]

0:00 You don't need to learn scales?
0:21 WARNING: one minute of sarcasm
1:21 The WRONG way to learn scales
2:48 Learning scales in a musical way
4:00 Pentatonic Example 1
5:57 Pentatonic Example 2
6:28 Pentatonic Example 3 (Eric Johnson)
7:10 Pentatonic Example 4
7:21 Pentatonic Example 5
7:29 Diatonic Example 1
8:36 Diatonic Example 2
9:33 Diatonic Example 3
9:56 Diatonic Example 4
10:09 Diatonic Example 5
10:36 Diatonic Example 6
11:14 Pentatonic Example 6
12:40 How do I use this in improvisation?

[armax]

this makes a lot of sense, I just realized I was doing exactly this on bass based on a piano exercise but I did not think to invent exercises myself. thanks!

[Wind-njxz]

5:38 Me: That sounds nice!
Tomasso: "It still does not sound like music"

[maxkelter]

Yes, knowing the intervals from the notes one plays helps with the melody in and out of scales. Thanks, I'll make better reference of that.

[gabrielrothley]

Totally agree! Learning creative Patterns is more important than learning Shapes. Only exception are extended Shred Runs and some Sweeping Shapes

[kentfarmer]

Funny you mention these ads with a guy saying you don't need to learn scales. Those ads have been getting on my nerves - I didn't ask for those ads and I practice/d scales, but when I play it doesn't sound like I'm reciting a bunch of scales.

[drsmith]

Tommaso, I’ve been thinking about this A LOT here lately, and I salute you for making this video. Something I’ve noticed about all these chord tone YouTubers is this: 1. Some don’t know as much theory as they want you to believe, or 2. They are jumping on the chord tone bandwagon trying to get more views. Don’t get me wrong, I play arpeggios, triads, spread triads, dyads, hybrid picked 6’s and just about any other flavor you can get. However, these would all become just as boring as a C major pentatonic scale without the other tones surrounding them. We learn where these other nearby tones are found by learning scales and all the great classical composers of old practiced them relentlessly. No great guitar player that hits all those sweet tones up and down the neck is thinking about all the chord shapes surrounding whatever note he happens to be on at any given time. The pentatonic scale has 5 notes and each one is a potential chord tone. Same goes for any diatonic scale. If you notate the parallel major and minor pentatonic scales together, the only notes left out are the flat 2, flat 6 and major 7. Also you only have to learn 3 scales to correctly solo over any diatonic progression in any key, because the 1 and 6 share the same notes as do the 2 and 4, and the 3 and 5. Poor lonely locrian “the 7” doesn’t have a relative. But seriously, it’s that easy. I find it highly amusing when I watch a guitar teacher in a “chord tone” video that starts shredding the same old pentatonic licks they always do and then show us where the flat 7 is on the 1, 4 and 5. They use words like “dominant, passing tones and mixolydian” to justify why it only appears like they are playing scales and to a beginner, it probably seems like they are guitar geniuses. But in reality, they are playing scales and have a decent ear for music.That is what it takes to play lead guitar over chord changes. I’d like to see them teach some Aeolian dominant blues licks or play some major pentatonic “chord tone” arpeggios over a mixodorian progression. I might actually learn something. Well, I had to get this one off my chest. It’s been bothering me lol. Cheers

[Jordenweiss]

You are a great teacher! I love to write songs but feel I’m being held back by my incomplete knowledge of music theory… Must find a way to be more responsible with practice so all of these concepts solidify! Thank you for your help!

[saxofonistacr]

Knowing deeply only the major scale will help you a lot, most stuff in occidental, popular music, can be derived from just knowing the major scale and the first six chords that forms on top of each of those notes.
If you want to play nice melodies you need to learn to hear the harmony or at least know what the harmony is. There is no substitute for that. The scales are very important, but you need to find how to play them over the harmony.

[petercontarino]

Thank you Tommaso for yet another coherent, completely useful and interesting method for working on scales. For anyone watching your videos I highly recommend Tommaso’s Master of the Modes course. It is a mountain of knowledge.

[lxathu]

When you love doing something, then you don't realize that you're learning: you're having fun.
So a lot later, when you're asked about learning, you are completely honest when you say, you never did so. Which, of course, doesn't mean you didn't.

[marvellousborndann]

I'm glad to find you sir this is what I'm searching for .. long long time ago

[EclecticEssentric]

Excellent options to practice! Thanks, TZ!

[telepathic]

Great video and I bought your complete mode mastery course, I'm ready to rule the modes!

[coastercook]

Thanks for the lesson. Lots of good ideas for practicing scales.

[yakzivz]

scales are very important!! I used scales to get more comfortable with my bass.

[bkmeahan]

every time I hear one of these "the secret to playing great guitar" ads I laugh. the secret is practice. practice fundamentals, practice theory, practice technique.

[fer]

Really enjoyed your lesson. Thanks a lot!

[PasiFourmyle]

Very cool exercises. You also looked like you were having a lot of fun with this one.

[borischrisentery]

Great lesson. Wish I had more time to practice. I put in a lot of hours on the job