First Scale Test: Open Position C Major Scale Guitar

In the last post on earning a “virtual” doctorate guitar degree, I indicated the first videos featured would demonstrate my ability to play the minimally required scale work for MUSC 101. Though I have obtained a master’s degree in classical guitar, this will be a baseline for future work. No matter what level I have achieved in the past, there is always more to learn and growth areas. I have no false notions about my skills and want to move forward. There are many guitarists with greater ability than myself with much less education. For this post, the question remains, why begin with the open position C major scale on guitar?

Table of Contents

Return to the Beginning

The description of MUSC 101 follows:

Some guitar students may lack substantial pre-college training on the guitar. The 101 level of study provides an opportunity for motivated students to cover basic techniques and procedures. The successful study of this material is essential for admission to the applied sequence. Potential music majors may study at the 101 level for a maximum of two semesters, after which they must pass an audition for entry into the applied sequence. ^[1]Berg, Christopher (2019). Guide To Applied Levels For The Usc Guitar Program

When I began my journey into the world of a college guitar program, I “lack[ed] substantial pre-college training on guitar.” My initial audition was on an electric guitar without an amplifier. The back story is long and need not be repeated here. However, when beginning my work with Christopher, the open position scales were not memorized even with years of playing behind me. His thought in an email to me later was, “The open-position scales are great for visualization because—as you know—one can’t rely on pattern memory. Weirdly, though, these are often neglected in favor of the Segovia scales, which many guitarists learn only by pattern!”

Though learning the scales in the open position was not necessarily hard, it opened my eyes to the real shortcomings of the guitar programs I received degrees. I know that no perfect program exists. However, the lack of skill sets became a frustration that I needed to overcome. If you have never learned the twelve major and minor scales in the open position, then I encourage you to begin. It will allow you to visualize the notes much better and take that process into the longer pattern-oriented scales.

Open Position C Major Scale Guitar

In each post concerning these scales, I want to present the scales and fingerings played. This is the basic scale even the utter beginning guitarists should know. It allows the learning of the natural notes in the open position. Regardless of playing style or genre, this should be known. Each of the scales needs to be practiced with i/m, i/a, and m/a right-hand fingerings with rest and free strokes. Also, each scale should conclude with the cadential chord progression. This builds a foundation of harmonic movement within the key being played. It also teaches you the basic open-position chords.

A Harmonic Minor Scale

The special note in this scale is the shift from the G-sharp to the A on string 1. The movement should be from the arm rather than stretching the finger.

Video Of Required Scales

In the video, I am playing each scale (c major scale and a harmonic minor scale) with each of the required fingerings both rest and free stroke. I end the scales with the playing of the chord progression.

Wrap Up

That will do it for this post. I’ll continue to share each of the scales as I can get them recorded. I think it might be important for those who want to have them separated into different posts and videos. It may take more time for me to write and record, but I hope it will be helpful to some.

Open Position Major and Minor Scales (PDF)

$9.99

Most guitarists I’ve worked with have skipped the first step to fretboard and harmonic mastery, the open-position major and minor scales. This PDF contains all 24 major and minor keys with cadences.