Scales, Chords and Arpeggios for Guitar (Complete Guide)
I searched the internet for a long time for a comprehensive list, but unfortunately, I could never find everything in one place. There were often errors (let me know if you find one here! :P), or it was something completely different from what I needed.
Therefore, you will find here an explanation and list of the most important scales, chords, and arpeggios for the guitar, including some additional options.
Intervals
Intervals are the building blocks of scales and chords. They describe the distance between two notes. For example, the distance from E to G# on the guitar is a major third (Δ3). By combining intervals, different scales and chords are created with different sounds and characters. Understanding intervals is therefore fundamental for playing and composing music on the guitar.
Names of the Intervals:
Root, minor second, major second, minor third, major third, perfect fourth, tritone (augmented fourth or diminished fifth), perfect fifth, minor sixth, major sixth, minor seventh, major seventh, octave.
In numbers:
1, b2, 2, b3, 3, 4, #4/b5, 5, b6, 6, b7, 7, 8
On the Guitar:
- R: Root Note (Root)
- Δ: Major
- p: Perfect
- b: minor (flat)
Of course, these 12 notes do not all have to be played on the same string. There are several options for this, e.g.:
or
as well as
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter which of these options (or even your own variations) you play. As long as the b2 comes after the R and the Δ2 comes after that, it will always sound the same.
You can always play these patterns above, no matter which fret or string you start from. Be aware, however, that the B string (high E string) is tuned one fret higher. You will need to adjust your pattern accordingly:
Starting from E String
Starting from A String
Starting from D String
Starting from G String
You should really know all the intervals on the guitar. It’s very helpful to immediately know where the interval you’re looking for is located without having to search for it for a long time.
For example, you should know all the notes within an octave with their corresponding intervals by heart. In the example above, all the “C” notes are marked in red and the minor second in black. This can then be changed to any desired interval.
Scales
Scales are ultimately nothing more than a series of different intervals. You only need to know the intervals of each scale to be able to find and play them on the fretboard yourself.
If you look at the keyboard, the intervals are clearly visible. From C to the next C, we don’t need a single black key. This is because the piano is built in such a way that we already have the “right” intervals on the white keys (assuming you want to play C major).
That would look something like this on the guitar:
The notes played on the guitar would thus correspond exactly to the white keys on the piano. All unplayed notes in between would be black keys.
The C major scale could therefore be played easily this way. However, it is very cumbersome to change notes quickly in this manner. Therefore, there are other and better options for playing a C major scale -> Seven Modes in Major.
To show you that I’m not talking nonsense (and to provide you with much more information about the respective scales), I’ve included the link to each scale.
I have written down all the notes of the linked scale on the entire fretboard. As long as you keep the order below (1,2,3,4..), you can put together your own “pattern”.
There is no “right” or “wrong”. The order must be correct and it must fit well for your fingers. That’s why I haven’t written down any absolute scales.
Modes
Each note of a scale can be considered the root note. This is what “modes” are for.
For example, if you play the C major scale starting from the sixth note (A), you are playing an A minor scale. If you start from the third note of the A minor scale (C ), you are playing C major again.
Modes in Major (Wikipedia)
Modes in Harmonic minor (The Advancing Guitarist)
Modes in Melodic minor (The Advancing Guitarist)
Chords
Here is a list of the intervals for chords:
A more detailed list with all chords and their names can be found under Chord types.
“Special” Extensions
In addition to the standard chords, there are also various extensions that can be added to a chord. Chords always have a “main chord” plus an extension. For example: 7#11b13 = Dominant 7 + (#11) + (b13).
A more detailed explanation of these extensions can be found under the topic “Chord Names and Their Meanings”.
Arpeggios
An arpeggio is made up of the same notes as a chord, but the notes are played one after the other, not simultaneously. While the order of the notes in a chord can vary (e.g., Drop2 Voicing = 1, 7, 3, 5), arpeggios are usually played in ascending or descending order (1, 3, 5, 7).
Tensions
Each chord, each arpeggio has its own tensions. Playing “outside” doesn’t necessarily mean using only wrong notes. It can also be done through “superimposing.” Superimposing is the same as upper structure. So we take tensions and improvise with them.
