Question about Guitars

[6strings]

I just started picking up my guitar again..havnt really played it in so long and im wondering what are the best scales to start from..Should I learn my Major and Minor scales in C D A F G B..or should i go with the 7 modes in C major?..im just wondering where to start..i have this huge book full of scales and i really dont know where to begin lol..im trying to build up my style of playing again..im into progressive rock and alot of virtuoso stuff..and my style stems from that basically..so any help will do..even a forward to a website i can use as refrence.thanks alot..sorry about my bad grammar

[robelinda2]

dont bother with modes, keep things simple to start with. Learn the well used Pentatonic scale, then go major pentatonic. from there you can do the full minor and major scales. some would say why even bother with scales, just learn some of favourite prog rock songs and get into it that way, i dont think there is ever a need to start in an academic way, gotta have fun. remember, your grandma doesnt want to hear you play scales. and dont even think of playing them to your girlfriend.

[6strings]

so full minor and major in C D A F B G ?

[robelinda2]

the actual keys dont make any difference if you are just using the same fingering for them all up and down the neck, if you are learning the scales by the actual notes then it might be best to stick to just a few keys.

[Colin]

My favorite key is C demolished...

[6strings]

so besides the pentatonic scales in minor and major like you said..which minor and major scale should i start out with..and then how should i progress?

[robelinda2]

C demented is also good Colin!

[slukather]

My favorite key is C demolished...

aaahhhhh, some more jokes from Colin, brilliant bro. lol

Scott.

[RocketRalf]

so besides the pentatonic scales in minor and major like you said..which minor and major scale should i start out with..and then how should i progress?

You should define your objectives. Do you want to:

1)Train your fingers?
2)Train your ear?
3)Learn something while having fun with your instrument?
4)All of the above?

The answer to that question will determine what you should practice. I'd say you go for 4) . Ear training if often an overlooked part of being a musician, amateur or pro. Also, don't just train technique, train your musical side too. There can be feeling and musicianship everywhere, even if you're playing just scales, and musicianship has to be trained at the same time as technique, never looked aside or left behind.

These are tips I've learned during my classical music training that might be useful to everyone, not just beginners.

To sum it up, I'd start by playing major, minor and pentatonic scales in 2 or 3 easy keys first. A and D for example. Play them both hammer-pull (picking one note per string) and alternate picking (picking every note) if you're into that. Once you've figured out the fingering, you may try these scales in different positions, and then go for other keys. At the same time, try to find some easy song you'd like to play and try to learn it by ear. And whatever you're doing, always enjoy yourself!

[Tim O'Sullivan]

The worst thing is when they start sticking numbers in chords. It all goes up the wall when this happens!

[RocketRalf]

The worst thing is when they start sticking numbers in chords. It all goes up the wall when this happens!

If you study intervals before studying chords, it shouldn't be an issue...

[6strings]

well ive been playing guitar for some time now..i just never really got into practicing scales..i know my pentatonic and my fingers are used to fretting..also my alternate picking could use some work but i am practicing that with many excersises..i just want to be able to improvise from the top..sometimes i get it good where i can recognize the tone and follow up on it..others i just get lost and seem to loose my positioning..so overall i basically would go with #4 in the selections you gave me..but besides taht i just wanna be able to improvise and have a good ammo belt for some good base tracks or tunes for jamming ;P

[robelinda2]

you need to learn lots of lots of solos and listen to lots of solos to improv well. Someone like Lukather for instance i reckon knows every solo known to man, no wonder he can improv so well. of course its just one of the important things to do to be good at improv, but its a great one.

[pjc812]

Sounds like you actually need a good piano theory teacher. That'll get you where it sounds like you want to go.

Honestly dude you're wanting to bite off way more than you can chew at this point. If you want to do it right it's going to take a very long time and a lot of study and cash. That is, if you want to know absolutely what you're wanting to do at any given point in time and be able to rattle off in technical terms what it is you are playing. People take this kind of stuff in college sophomore theory when they are getting their music degrees. Most guitar players really don't want to fool with it to tell you the truth.

[6strings]

no doubt about that pjc...i know its gonna take alot alot of time for me to be where i want to be and develop a concrete style..which of course i dont mind at all..im just looking where more or less i should start..i mean i had an idea but i gues i wanted some confirmation..pretty much like learn as many songs as i can ..practice pentatonic and some scales..and my style will devolop that way i suppose..thanks alot guys for the advice