How do you learn and practice scales?

[astrozombie]

Lately I've been expanding my musical vocabulary on guitar by learning some scales (modes included). I now realize that what my playing needed was just this, I was stuck in a rut with the "same ol" stuff.

does anyone relate? any good websites with info? anyone got any general advice? lately I've been jamming in Lydian mode, I like it's "dreamy" singing quality very much.

 

[Securb]

Re: How do you learn and practice scales?

I just reviewed this book it is actually pretty good.

The Ultimate Guitar Chord & Scale Bible

 

[kramersteen]

Re: How do you learn and practice scales?

I use guitar pro for learning scales. It helps me

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: How do you learn and practice scales?

Gonna give you a boner here...

This article by Lori Linstruth: http://lorinator.feminoise.com/modes-for-metalheads-repost/

Paired with this interactive demo: http://lorinator.feminoise.com/modes.htm

Is one of the best tools I've ever used to get a firm grasp on modes/scales.

Have fun!

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: How do you learn and practice scales?

Steve Vai's website has a Lessons area for stuff like this.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: How do you learn and practice scales?

I read a column Alex Skolnick did for Guitar years ago where he covered the Mixolydian mode/scale/thingy. I practiced it in scalar form up and down, then arpeggiated, then played along to the Testament: Souls of Black album surprisingly well, then spent the last 15+ years and wrote 3 albums using that scale almost exclusively (outside of Pentatonics), experimenting with various phrasings :lol:

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: How do you learn and practice scales?

You learn those, when you are learning how to construct chords.
Learn all modes in all postitions, look up on the theory at the same time, they are the foundation of music in the west.
Practise until you are not thinking about it anymore, and then "forget" about it all...and let it flow naturally.
My old teacher used to say that to me, same with my highschool music theory teacher...
And learning how to play piano also helps a great deal.

It opens up to alot of stuff...and how to break the rules bigtime and get away with it
That is the part I like best!

Have fun!

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: How do you learn and practice scales?

Work through all three of the Leavitt (berklee modern method) and Fisher books. Use the theory book as a reference. The real books also are a goldmine, so grab as many of those as you can.
Congratulations on making the decision to push your boundaries into unknown territory! Awesome man!

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: How do you learn and practice scales?

You are essentially asking how to learn another language on your own. As noted above, scales are THE foundation to everything -- chord construction, modes, and the building blocks of arranging and harmonisation.

Seriously, the best way is to study a good method with a good teacher; you will progress 100x faster than doing it on your own, and will (hopefully) learn how to sightread whilst you are at it!