NEILCHANMUSIC

Fingerstyle for the World

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Scale Position Guide

Open Scale Positions

Open scales refer to scales utilising one or more open strings.
Numbers refer to the scale degree of the respective key.

Major Natural Minor

2 5

4 7 b3 b6 1 4

C 5 1 4 b7 2 5
b6 b3 b6

5 1 4 b7 2 5

b6 b3 b6

A
2 5 1
b7 b3 b6 4 b7

2 5 1

b7 b3 b6 4 b7

G
2
1 4 b7 b3 5 1
b6

1 4 b7 b3 5 1

b6

E
2 5 1 4 2
b3 b6 b7 b3
2

2 5 1 4 2

b3 b6 b7 b3

D
2 5
4 b7 b3 b6 1 4

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Scale Position Guide

7 Movable Scale Positions

1 4 b7 b3 5 1

6 - 1 Major 6 - 1 minor
b6
2 5 1 4 2
b3 b6 b7 b3
2

b7 b3 b6 b7
2

6 - 2 Major 6 - 2 minor
1 4 b7 b3 5 1
b6
2 5 1 4 2

b6 b6
2 5 1
b7 b3 b6 4 b7
6 - 4 Major 6 - 4 minor 2
1 4 b7 b3 5 1

5 1 4 b7 2 5

5 - 1 Major 5 - 1 minor
b6 b3 b6
2 5 1
b7 b3 b6 4 b7

4 b7 b3 b6 4

5 - 2 Major 5 - 2 minor
5 1 4 b7 2 5
b6 b3 b6
2 5 1

b3 b6 b3
2 5

5 - 4 Major 5 - 4 minor 4 b7 b3 b6 1 4

5 1 4 b7 2 5

2 5 1 4 2

4 - 1 Major 4 - 1 minor b3 b6
2 5
b7 b3

4 b7 b3 b6 1 4

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Scale Position Guide

7 Movable Scale Positions

There are 7 scale positions that will allow you to play any scale across the
fretboard. Before diving in, there are certain fingering guidelines that you
must follow when playing these scale positions.

Guidelines

Naming:

There are two components in naming each position: the string number
and finger number used to fret the lowest root note.

5-2
Denotes lowest root Denotes 2nd finger fretting
played on the 5th string the lowest root note

6 5 4 3 2 1
P ON
Number:

Note: EADGBE
Q

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Scale Position Guide

Fingering:

For each of the 7 positions, there are fixed frets allocated to each
respective finger on the left hand.

In the scale diagrams to follow, the

4 fingers of the left hand each are to
play the 4 frets as shown.

The 1st (index) and 4th (little) fingers

are allowed to stretch one fret
above and below their allocated
positions as required.

Allowable stretch

Allowable stretch

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Scale Position Guide

The 7 Positions

The 7 scale positions for the major scale are listed below. The white circles
denote the root note, while the numbers denote the respective scale
degree.

To achieve other scales and modes, alter the respective scale degrees
accordingly.

eg. For the natural minor scale, flatten the 3rd, 6th, and 7th note.

6-1 Position:

The lowest root note is played on the 6th string, fretted with the 1st finger.

The 6-1 major scale position begins

with a stretched 1st (index) finger

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Scale Position Guide

6-2 Position:

The lowest root note is played on the 6th string, fretted with the 2nd finger.

No stretching of fingers are required

for this major scale position

6-4 Position:

The lowest root note is played on the 6th string, fretted with the 4th finger.

The 6-4 major scale position requires a

stretch of the 4th (little) finger

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Scale Position Guide

5-1 Position:

The lowest root note is played on the 5th string, fretted with the 1st finger.

The 5-1 major scale position begins

with a stretched 1st (index) finger

5-2 Position:

The lowest root note is played on the 5th string, fretted with the 2nd finger.

Some stretching of the 1st

(index) finger is required

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Scale Position Guide

5-4 Position:

The lowest root note is played on the 5th string, fretted with the 4th finger.

No stretching of fingers are required

for this major scale position

4-1 Position:

The lowest root note is played on the 4th string, fretted with the 1st finger.

The 4-1 major scale position begins with

a stretched 1st (index) finger

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