Scales
are comprised of single notes. The major and minor scales are used in the majority of popular music. These scales are comprised of seven notes with the major scale sounding upbeat and positive and the minor scale having a sad effect. The major scale for the key of C, {which begins with the placing of your third finger on the third fret of the fifth string}, is C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. For the scale of A minor, which is relative to C major, the scale begins by striking an open fifth string, this scale is constructed of the notes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A.
Pentatonic Scales
The pentatonic minor scale consisting of the scale tones 1, b3, 4, 5, and b7, {b= Flat note} is commonly used with blues, rock and metal songs. For example, if a blues song is written in the key of A, the pentatonic minor scale will be A, C, D, E, G, A. The pentatonic major scale with scale tones 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 is a scale that is heard mainly in country songs. The pentatonic major scale for the same key of A will be A, B, C#, E, F#, and A {#= sharp note}. Reading music teaches the student the tonal value of any given note and where the notes can be found in different places on the guitar.
Positional playing (or the fret on which the first finger will extend to) is instrumental in the playing of lead guitar. For example, an A minor scale that begins on the open 5th string is called A minor in open position. Consequently, the same scale can be played by starting at the fifth fret of the 6th string, and this is called an A minor in fifth position, and it is relative to this fact that being able to move fluently around the guitar neck is a direct result of studying musical notation.