The notes of the C Major Scale are G, A, B, C, D, E, F#.

Chords in the G Major scale are:

MajorMinorMinorMajorMajorMinorDim
IiiiiiIVViiVII*
GAmBmCDEmF#*

G Major Scale – All Across the Neck

G Major Scale

You should know where you can play the G Major scale on your guitar. I have highlighted the 5 positions below where you could play it. Please note that some of these patterns will repeat beyond the 12th fret. Start each scale on the root note.

G Major Scale – Position 1
This pattern covers two octaves.

G Major Scale – Position 2

G Major Scale – Position 3

G Major Scale – Position 4 

G Major Scale – Position 5
This pattern covers two octaves. 

Try the following when playing this scale:

Use a metronome – start very slowly.
Play cleanly – Focus on fingering every note cleanly.
Alternate pick – Alternate between up and down. Play quarter notes and then eighth notes.
Down pick all notes – Play quarter notes and then eighth notes.
Triplets – Alternate pick 3 notes for each beat.
16th notes – Alternate pick 4 notes for each beat.
Fingerpick – Use just your fingers to pick. Thumb plays the top 3 strings, Index, Middle and Ring fingers play the bottom strings respectively. Thumb, index, middle and ring are usually indicated by the initials P, I, M, A.
Alternate Fingerpick – Alternate Index & Middle fingers to play each note of the scale.
Use hammer on’s and pull off’s – Can you play each one without picking?
Speed up – As you feel more comfortable, try to increase the metronome speed.
Turn off metronome – Play the exercises but name each note that you play (without looking at the diagrams). Go as slow as you like.
Name the notes – Play exercises and name only the root notes (without looking at the diagrams).
Different positions – Do all the exercises and picking variations for each position.

Explore More

Finger Picking – Combination Pinch

All examples below are using a G chord. Use a metronome. Focus on thumb independence. These exercises focus on pinches with thumb, index and middle fingers. m i m i

F Major Chord

F Major chord in the 1st position below. F – RootA – 3rdC – 5th When played on guitar the notes are in this order F, C, F, A, C,

Alternate Tunings

A Standard A D G C E A A# A# D# G# C# F A# A#maj7 A# F A# D A D Admiral C G D G B C Asus2