How to Play Scales on an Electric Guitar

Playing scales on an electric guitar is like the backbone of your guitar journey, especially if you're diving into genres like metal, where precision and speed are the name of the game. So, let's break it down in a way that makes sense, whether you're just picking up the guitar or looking to refine your skills. We'll cover everything from the basic scales you should know to how they fit into the heavy-hitting world of metal guitar.

Getting Comfortable with the Fretboard

If you've ever felt like the fretboard is a foreign language, don't worry, you're not alone. It can seem overwhelming at first, but with a bit of patience and practice, it becomes more familiar. The first step in playing scales is getting comfortable with where each note lives on the fretboard.

• Start with the Basics: Learn the notes on the low E and A strings first. These are your navigation points for finding notes across the fretboard.
• Use Mnemonics: Create simple phrases to remember the order of notes on each string. For example, "Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie" can help recall the open strings: E, A, D, G, B, E.
• Practice Chromatic Patterns: Run through chromatic exercises, playing each note on the string in sequence. This can help you see and feel the note positions physically.

Understanding the fretboard is essential for learning scales because it helps you visualize the scale patterns as you play. Once you know where your fingers should land, everything else starts to fall into place.

The Pentatonic Scale: Your First Step

The pentatonic scale is like the Swiss Army knife of scales. It's simple, versatile, and sounds great in almost any context. For metal players, knowing your pentatonic scale is a must, as it forms the foundation for many riffs and solos.

Here's the A minor pentatonic scale, a good starting point:

e|-------------------------------5--8--|
B|--------------------------5--8-------|
G|---------------------5--7------------|
D|----------------5--7-----------------|
A|-----------5--7----------------------|
E|------5--8---------------------------|

• Five Notes: The pentatonic scale consists of five notes. In A minor, those notes are A, C, D, E, and G.
• Box Patterns: The shape of the scale is often referred to as a "box" because of its rectangular pattern on the fretboard.
• Practice in Multiple Keys: Move the pattern up and down the fretboard to practice in different keys. This will help you become more flexible and adaptable in your playing.

Once you're comfortable with the pentatonic scale, you can start incorporating it into your playing by creating simple riffs or solos. This is a great way to start expressing yourself musically while also improving your technique.

Major and Minor Scales: The Building Blocks

While the pentatonic scale is fantastic for getting started, the major and minor scales open up a whole new world of musical possibilities. These scales are crucial for understanding more complex musical concepts.

Major Scale

The major scale has a happy, bright sound. Here’s the C major scale:

e|-----------------------------------7--8--|
B|-----------------------------8--10--------|
G|--------------------7--9--10--------------|
D|-------------7--9-------------------------|
A|---7--8--10-------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------|

• Seven Notes: The major scale consists of seven notes. In C major, those notes are C, D, E, F, G, A, and B.
• Interval Pattern: The pattern of intervals is whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half.
• Practice: Try playing the scale in different positions on the fretboard to become more comfortable with its sound and shape.

Minor Scale

The minor scale often sounds more somber or dramatic. Here’s the A minor scale:

e|-----------------------------------5--7--8--|
B|-----------------------------5--6--8--------|
G|--------------------4--5--7-----------------|
D|-------------5--7---------------------------|
A|---5--7--8----------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------|

• Seven Notes: The notes in A minor are A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.
• Interval Pattern: The interval pattern is whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole.
• Application: Use this scale to create more emotional or intense musical ideas.

Understanding these scales is vital for improvisation, songwriting, and creating solos. They give you a framework to build upon and help you communicate musical ideas more effectively.

Connecting Scales to Metal Guitar

So, how do these scales fit into the world of metal guitar? Well, metal is all about intensity and dynamics, and scales are the tools that help you achieve that. Whether you're shredding through a solo or laying down a heavy riff, scales guide your fingers across the fretboard.

• Riff Creation: Use minor and pentatonic scales to craft riffs that are both melodic and aggressive. The bluesy feel of the pentatonic scale can add a unique twist to your metal riffs.
• Solo Development: Scales provide a roadmap for solos. Knowing where the notes lie within a scale helps you choose the right ones to enhance your solos.
• Improvisation: When you're jamming or performing, scales allow you to improvise with confidence, knowing that the notes you play will fit harmonically with the rest of the music.

Interestingly enough, at Riffhard, we have a plethora of lessons from some of the world's best metal guitarists, who guide you through using scales effectively in metal. This helps you not only understand the theory behind scales but also see how they're applied in real-world metal guitar scenarios.

Harmonic Minor and Phrygian Dominant: Adding Flavor

For metal guitarists, adding a touch of exoticism to your playing can really make your music stand out. That's where scales like the harmonic minor and Phrygian dominant come into play. These scales give your music an edge, providing a richer sound palette.

Harmonic Minor Scale

The harmonic minor scale adds a distinct tension and drama to your sound. Here’s the A harmonic minor scale:

e|------------------------------------7--8---|
B|-----------------------------8--9----------|
G|--------------------7--9--10---------------|
D|-------------7--9--------------------------|
A|---7--8--10--------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------|

• Unique Sound: The raised seventh note gives the scale its characteristic sound, often used in classical compositions and metal solos.
• Use in Metal: Perfect for creating tension and a neoclassical feel in your solos.

Phrygian Dominant Scale

The Phrygian dominant scale is often used in metal for its exotic, Middle Eastern vibe. Here’s the E Phrygian dominant scale:

e|-----------------------------------7--8----|
B|-----------------------------8--9----------|
G|--------------------7--9--10---------------|
D|-------------7--9--------------------------|
A|---7--8--10--------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------|

• Exotic Sound: This scale has a flat second and a major third, giving it a unique, spicy sound.
• Application: Use it to add an Eastern flair to your riffs and solos, perfect for creating a mysterious or aggressive sound.

These scales are excellent for pushing your musical boundaries and exploring new sounds. They’re also great for solos, as they offer a fresh perspective and can make your lead playing more interesting and dynamic.

Practice Techniques for Mastering Scales

Now that we've covered a variety of scales, it's time to talk about practice. Playing scales isn't just about finger placement; it's about developing muscle memory and honing your ear to recognize how each note interacts with others.

• Use a Metronome: Start slow and gradually increase your speed. This helps build precision and timing, which are critical for fast metal playing.
• Play with Dynamics: Experiment with playing softly and loudly to add expressiveness to your scales.
• Alternate Picking: Practice alternate picking to ensure each note is articulated clearly. This technique is essential for fast and accurate playing.

At Riffhard, we offer tools like a custom metronome and interactive lessons to help you practice effectively. You can adjust tempos and download tabs, making it easier to integrate these scales into your routine.

Integrating Scales into Your Music

Once you've got the scales under your fingers, the next step is to start integrating them into your music. This is where you can really start to see your playing evolve and take on a life of its own.

• Compose Riffs: Use scales as a foundation to create riffs. Experiment with different patterns and rhythms to find what resonates with you.
• Solo Over Backing Tracks: Practice soloing over backing tracks in various keys to develop your improvisational skills.
• Record Yourself: Listening back to recordings can give you insight into your playing and highlight areas for improvement.

Remember, scales are not just exercises but tools for creativity. Use them to craft your unique sound, and don't be afraid to experiment and push boundaries.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Learning scales can be challenging, and it's easy to feel stuck at times. However, recognizing these challenges and addressing them head-on can make a world of difference in your progress.

• Plateaus: If you feel like you're not improving, try changing your approach. Experiment with new scales or practice techniques.
• Finger Fatigue: Take regular breaks to avoid overuse injuries. Stretching and proper posture can also help prevent fatigue.
• Staying Motivated: Set small, achievable goals to keep yourself motivated. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small.

At Riffhard, our lessons are designed to help you overcome these challenges, with guidance from experienced instructors who know the ins and outs of metal guitar playing.

Final Thoughts

Playing scales on the electric guitar is more than just a technical exercise; it's a gateway to creativity and expression, especially in the metal genre. As you practice and integrate scales into your playing, you'll find that your musical vocabulary expands, allowing you to craft more compelling riffs and solos. At Riffhard, we aim to support your journey with lessons from top metal guitarists, helping you hone your skills and unleash your musical potential.