Major and minor scales are part of every guitarist's toolbox. You need to know how to play the major and minor scales in order to produce many of the songs you love to hear. When you know the major and minor scales in and out, you put yourself on the high end of the guitarist spectrum.

Major and Minor Scales Basics

You may be intimidated by the sheer number of scales there are out there. While it can be daunting, you'll be happy to know that the major and minor scales are very related. Many of the chord charts that appear in a major scale such as a pentatonic major will also appear again in its relative minor scale such as the pentatonic minor.

Every major scale possesses a relative minor scale. Three half steps below the root of the relative major scale is the root of this minor scale. This means that when you are playing the pentatonic major and minor sclaes you are playing the same pattern but with a different root.

It's wise to purchase some instructional tools to help you as you learn the scales. An easy to read scales chart is a valuable tool in the learning process. Such a chart is something you will use for years to come.