Understanding Guitar Scales Part II

This is the second part of Understanding Guitar Scales so if you have not study the first part, please proceed to Part I now. Only return here when you have finished the first part of this guitar instruction. Part I is all about the sharp keys and now in Part II, we will look at the flat keys. As you scroll down the page here, you will notice that I use the alphabet "b" to indicate "flat" or in short to substitute the music symbol for flat. This is helpful to me in writing out this lesson. It also enable me to complete this lesson in a shorter time. Thanks for your understanding. Now let us proceed to the lesson.

Note: We will approach the scales in the flat keys.

Click here to download the Flat Keys pdf file.

Key F major (sc): 1 flat Bb

The first two notes begin on the 6th string - F note 1st fret than G note, 3rd fret.

Next three notes are on the 5th string. A open string, Bb 1st fret and C on the 3rd fret.

Next three notes are on the 4th string - D note open string followed by E note 2nd fret and F note 3rd fret.

Key Bb major sc: 2 flats Bb, Eb

Start on the 5th string for the first two notes. Bb note on the 1st fret, then C note on the 3rd fret.

Next three notes are on the 4th string. D open string, followed by Eb note 1st fret and F note on the 3rd fret.

The last three notes are played on the 3rd string. G open string, A note on 2nd fret and Bb on the 4rd fret.

Key Eb major sc: 3 flats Bb, Eb, Ab

First two note notes are on the 4th string. Eb on the 1th fret and F on the 3rd fret.

The following three notes are on the 3rd string - G open note, then 1st fret, Ab note followed by Bb note 3rd fret.

The last three notes are on the 2nd string. C note on the 1st fret, D note on the 3rd fret and Eb note on the 4th fret.

Key Ab major sc: 4 flats Bb, Eb, Ab, Db

On the 6th string 4th fret, we have Ab.

Next three notes are played on the 5th string. Bb note on the 1st fret, C on the 3rd fret and Db note on the 4th fret.

Move to the 4th string for the next two notes. Eb note on the 1st fret and F note on the 3rd fret.

Now play the 3rd string, G open note and then go to the Ab note 1st string.

Key Db major sc: 5 flats Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb

Start on the 5th string 4th fret Db note.

Next three notes are on the 4th string. Eb note 1st fret, F note on the 3rd fret and Gb note on the 4th fret.

Next two notes are on the 3rd string. Ab note on the 1st fret and Bb note on the 3rd fret.

The last two notes are played on the 2nd string, C on the 1st fret and Db on the 2nd fret.

Key Gb major sc: 6 flats Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb ,Cb

First two notes are played on the 6th string. Gb note on the 2nd fret and Ab note on the 4rh fret.

Next three notes are played on the 5th string. Bb note on the 1st fret, Cb note on the 2nd fret and Db note on the 4th fret.

Go down to the 4th string. Play the Eb note on the 1st fret, F note on the 3rd fret and Gb note on the 4th fret.

Key of Cb major sc: 7 flats Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, Fb

Start on the 5th string for the first two notes. Cb note on the 2nd fret, Db note on the 4th fret.

Next 3 notes are played on the 4th string. Eb note on the 1st fret, Fb note on the 2nd fret and Gb note on the 4th fret.

Next two notes are played on the 3rd string. Ab on the 1st fret, and Bb on the 3rd fret.

Lastly the Cb note is played on the 2nd string.

In the C# major scale we have the notes: C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A#, B#, C#

In the Cb major scale we have the notes: Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb

Note: C# and Db produce the same pitch but the enharmonic names are different.

Some examples of Enharmonic spellings

B-Cb

F-E#

G#-Ab

A#-Bb

D#-Eb

B#-C

Fb-E

It is very important to be able to play the guitar scales in all the twelve keys. Having them at the tips of your fingers will be a great asset to your guitar playing.

let us Continue on to a very interesting lesson on "Guitar Scales Chart 7 Major Patterns". Guitar Scales Chart

return to Online Guitar Lessons from Understanding Guitar Scales Part II