C Major Scale Shape 1 & 3 Note Pattern

I'm going to show you the Major Scale which is referred to as Pattern or Shape 1.

Major scale shape 1 benefits

• More dexterity require, prepping for harder / more technical playing to come

• Explains how intervals relate to root 6 barre chords

• Particularly good at showing how the major 3rd in a scale relates to the chord

• Helps players understand when the major scale, and particularly the major 3rd, should and shouldn’t be used in solos, riffs, lead lines and improvisation

Memorisation Tips

• Break this into 3 pairs of strings. Leave off the lowest note for now and then notice that the pattern on strings 6 & 5 is the same as strings 2 & 1, fingering 2-4/1-2-4

• The middle pair of strings are both 1-3-4 fingering.

• Notice the edges of the pattern are all the notes across with Fingers 1 and 4, except for the 'hole' on String 2 which Finger 1 fell off ;)

• The 'middle' of the pattern uses fingers: 2/2 / 3/3 / 2/2

Finally the 3 note pattern!

This kind of pattern is a great way of playing more melodically in a scale rather than just start to finish or in reverse like when we learn a scale.

Learn this 3 note pattern and then other numbered patterns like a 6 note pattern. Come up with your own and get as creative as you like as this is how we can improvise in a very structured, melodic way!