I’ve recently discovered that if I split the guitar into 3 sets of 2 string sets. I can cut and paste and repeat these patterns on each string set. Allowing me to cover three octaves at a time while only remembering a 4 or 5 note pattern. Very handy indeed. I’ve included many scale patterns here for you to see how this all lays out on the fretboard.

The diagram below is an C Major scale. The root note is indicated by the 1. The colors represent the same pattern cut and pasted on each string set. This is a 4:3 pattern. Which means 4 notes on one string 3, on the next, then repeat for each string set. This pattern covers three octaves.

C Major Scale

The diagram below is an E Minor Pentatonic scale. This is a 3:2 pattern. 3 notes on one string, 2 on the next. Repeat for each string set.

E Minor Pentatonic Scale

The diagram below is a G Major Pentatonic scale. This is a 3:2 pattern. 3 notes on one string, 2 on the next. Repeat for each string set.

G Major Pentatonic Scale

The diagram below is a G Minor Blues scale. This is a 2:3 pattern. 2 notes on one string, 3 on the next. Repeat for each string set.

G Minor Blues Scale

The diagram below is a B Minor 6 Scale. This is a 3:4 pattern. 3 notes on one string, 4 on the next. Repeat for each string set.

B Minor 6 Scale

The diagram below is a C Whole Tone Scale. This is a 4 note per string pattern. Repeat for each string set.

C Whole Tone Scale

The diagram below is a G Altered Dominant Scale. This is a 4:3 pattern. 4 notes on one string, 3 on the next. Repeat for each string set.

G Altered Dominant Scale

The diagram below is a G Melodic Minor Scale. This is a 3:4 pattern. 3 notes on one string, 4 on the next. Repeat for each string set.

G Melodic Minor Scale

The diagram below is a G Dominant Pentatonic Scale. This is a 3:2 pattern. 3 notes on one string, 2 on the next. Repeat for each string set.

G Dominant Pentatonic Scale

The diagram below is a G Harmonic Minor Scale. This is a 4:3 pattern. 4 notes on one string, 3 on the next. Repeat for each string set.

G Harmonic Minor Scale

The diagram below is a G Minor 7 Scale minus the 7th note. This is a 3 note per string pattern. Repeat for each string set.

G Minor 7 Scale

The diagram below is a Pentatonic Scale. This is a 3:4 pattern. 3 notes on one string, 4 on the next. Repeat for each string set.

The diagram below is another Pentatonic Scale. This is a 3:4 pattern. 3 notes on one string, 4 on the next. Repeat for each string set.

Explore More

Finger Picking – 4/4 Patterns

The following finger picking patterns are variations of 4/4 time. One note per beat. All of the following patterns are using a G chord. You can use any chord you

Six Types of Triads on Different String Sets

Six Types of Triads on Different String Sets4th String SetE--3-----3-----3-----3-----3-----3-----3--B--4-----3-----3-----2-----3-----3-----3--G--4-----4-----3-----3-----2-----5-----4--D-----------------------------------------A-----------------------------------------E----------------------------------------- Gaug G Gm Gdim Gsus2 Gsus4 G3rd String SetE-----------------------------------------B--4-----3-----3-----2-----3-----3-----3--G--4-----4-----3-----3-----2-----5-----4--D--5-----5-----5-----5-----5-----5-----5--A-----------------------------------------E----------------------------------------- Gaug G Gm Gdim Gsus2 Gsus4 G2nd String SetE-----------------------------------------B-----------------------------------------G--4-----4-----3-----3-----2-----5-----4--D--5-----5-----5-----5-----5-----5-----5--A--6-----5-----5-----4-----5-----5-----5--E----------------------------------------- Gaug G

Other Scales

I’ve included some other scales for reference. The following diagrams are all in the key of A (unless otherwise noted). Acoustic Scale Altered Dominant Scale Asavari Scale – G Blues