Guitar Major Scales In Open Position

Learning Major Scales in Open Position is a valuable exercise for all guitarists. Rhythm guitarists can use these guitar scale patterns for single note runs, adding notes to chord voicings and creating new chords. Lead guitarists can use the open strings in guitar licks and improvisation. Knowing open position scale patterns will enable you smoothly switch between rhythm and lead guitar.

This guitar lesson shows the guitar major scale in open position for all 12 keys, using the first 4 frets on the guitar and the open strings. I would suggest using one-finger-per-fret to start. Experiment with different fingerings once you have a pattern memorized. The more common guitar keys, the sharp keys, are shown first. Then the flat keys. Try to memorize all patterns!

The tablature for these guitar scales shows how I would recommend practicing each guitar scale to start.

1. Start on the low root note
2. Ascend through the scale to the highest available note
3. Descend to the lowest note, past the original root if notes are available
4. Ascend and finish on the root

Starting and ending on the root will help establish the key of the scale to your ear.

Now get practicing on this guitar scales chart!

C Major Scale

C Major Scale

G Major Scale

G Major Scale

D Major Scale

D Major Scale

A Major Scale

A Major Scale

E Major Scale

E Major Scale

B Major Scale

B Major Scale

F# Major Scale

F# Major Scale

F Major Scale

F Major Scale

Bb Major Scale

B Flat Major Scale

Eb Major Scale

E Flat Major Scale

Ab Major Scale

A Flat Major Scale

Db Major Scale

D Flat Major Scale