The easiest scale pattern to visualize on the fretboard. Play major & minor keys w/ this shape EP506

In this week's guitar lesson, you'll learn how to visual an easy scale pattern that can represent major and minor scales. It all depends on where you place the pattern on the fretboard.

00:00 Introduction - Learning scales is overwhelming
02:01 How to determine the key of the song
05:30 How to create the scale pattern
07:58 Dorian Mode pattern
09:20 Example of how to use the Dorian mode
10:30 Major Scale pattern
12:27 Example of the Major Scale and Dorian mode
14:50 Mixolydian Mode pattern
18:50 Example of Mixolydian, Dorian, and Major scale

[jharrismsu]

My head just exploded! After all of these years, Brian is finally letting me in on the secret sauce. Learning Dorian by starting on the second interval of the major scale, or mixolydian from the 5th interval, is like doing calculus while trying to jam. This greatly simplified how to move from major to mixolydian to dorian without thinking. The thinking. Great teaching method.

[renardojones]

I’ve been an Active Melody subscriber for years and have not maximized its use. I’ve fallen into the YouTube rabbit hole but now I’ve decided I’m going to focus exclusively on your active melody content for a while. I think I’ll progress faster that way.

[thewild]

This lesson was like a magician had just broken the code and given the magic away. Brian knows how to “pocket” just enough information so the guitar doesn’t seem so overwhelming. Thanks so much.

[carlsoudelier]

I have been a member for a couple of years. This lesson is a great eye opener, light bulb moment. The guitar neck becomes clearer with every lesson. I have been gigging for many years and lately I have been getting some really encouraging praise from band members and audience members after performances. Thank you so much Brian.

[upnorthcabinconstructs]

Where has he and his videos been my whole life! Such a great way to ease in and unlock some great concepts. So transferable! Love how accessible it makes scales.

[MrAndyfix]

I love the guitar. It’s like a giant puzzle that slowly becomes more clear over the years. This is a very good explanation of some of the pieces coming together. Major scale all over the neck is the gateway to the modes. Combined with caged major and minor chords. Good old pentatonic and you’re well on your way. And if you think you’ve learnt it all……you haven’t !! 😊 that’s what’s great about it.

[simantabordoloi]

You have changed your instruction style and this is so so good.. definitely more attractive and effective. .. loved the lesson!! Was kind of thinking about how I was getting stuck .. there was a mind block .. now you've given me a new way....

[robertfkaz]

These lessons, especially the ones on improvising, I find are extremely helpful. To be a great player and an excellent teacher is a very rare thing. Thanks so much Brian and keep the lessons coming!!

[OTCRockone]

@ActiveMelody, great job with this video! On another subject, you're the only person on YT that has explained how to use the Circle of 5ths so well that I actually understood and am able to apply it to my playing! Nobody has ever been able to get me to understand it before! I'll so grateful to you for that! 💯

[JesusOurKing]

Phenomenal. I'm always playing between the two but I never visualized it this way. It makes a big difference when you now visualize the same patterns it makes you play extra jazzy bluesy groovy. A great lesson you showed here. After 50 yrs I've learned a cool new thing that I've not seen before.

[andreasplatzgummer]

Wow, I'm overwhelmed!!! You really are the best guitar teacher. Playing (lead-)guitar for quite a time now I understand soloing so much better now. Why did nobody else have the idea to explain this way before? thank you so much

[elefsidi]

Words cannot describe how much I love using the Dorian Mode. It helped me a lot with playing in both minor & major keys.

[jjswallowtail]

Infinite Thank YOU! Hallelujah, now I’m starting to have FUN, after decades of struggling to understand and apply. I watched and jammed before I went to sleep, last night, and there it was, already it in my morning practice!

[MrLorne]

Wow ... that was a lightbulb moment for me. Perfect blend of hands on practical and minimum theory that tied it all together. Real gem of a lesson. 🙂👍

[jonda]

Wow! This is with no doubt the biggest "light bulb" moment for me in my guitar journey. So many things just slid into place and connected. Boom. It's incredible. This is what should be taught.
Nobody has shown it to me this way before. Wow, again!
Thanks so much.

[fishzebra]

This is a gold mine channel and this was a real nugget of inspiration, thanks again, great way of thinking about modes and how to use them.

[michaelmerrullo]

Love your epiphany! I see some YouTube instructor put down learning shapes and shake my head. I find knowing shapes as well 😊as developing my ear for modes in that way works for me. I can always walk backwards theorywise and make sense of what I'm doing. Your dispensing of knowledge has been most useful for me.

[dbwalker]

Brian this lesson was amazing, Thank you for simplifying what has always overwhelmed me. Opened my eyes!

[JeffMountainPicker]

Pretty nice; I saw the diagram in my preview feed, and fiddled around with it (well, guitared around, actually) and found some of the scales. Afterward, I watched the video & enjoyed it; I'd correctly nailed some of the material ahead of watching, and that was pleasant.
I've been a devout Brian fan for years now, and always get great hints, helpful monologs, and tasty compositions!
I'm a geek & retired Mechanical Engineer, so I don't find any musical topics overwhelming; the theory parts of it are great, intriguing fun, and I dig right in!
Thanks again, Brian!

[paramesvaridasa]

You’re the most helpful instructor I’ve ever come across I’ve been playing since I was 14 now I’m 72 and you finally getting made a breakthrough took a while. I expect to sign up for your full license at some point soon in any event thank you again I love the way you play.