Scales

Scale Type Selector

Use this to select a type of scale. All the available scales are divided up into the following musical groups:

• All Scales
• Major Scale Modes
• Harmonic Minor Modes
• Melodic Minor Modes
• Pentatonics etc.
• Symmetrical Scales
• Misc.

To view the scales available within a group, click on the + sign next to it. The group will then expand. To collapse a group, hiding the chords, click on the - sign.

To select a scale click on it. This will cause the scale information and the fretboard display to change.

Scale Information

Displays detailed information about the currently selected scale.

Scale Name: The root note and most common name used to represent that scale.

Scale Notes (in red): The notes contained within the scale. This changes to reflect the current root note.

Formula: A method of calculating the notes in a musical structure regardless of key. To convert a formula into a set of scale notes, compare each formula element to a major scale that starts on the same root note.

Example: A mixolydian scale has a formula of: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, b7. To work out the notes in a C mixolydian scale:-

C major scale: C, D, E, F, G, A, B

The 7th is B which when flattened gives Bb.

C Mixolydian = C, D, E, F, G, A, Bb

Alternative Scale Names

Displays a list of common name used to represent that scale. Scales are often referred to by more than one name.

Postion Selector

GuitarPower can display scale notes over the entire fretboard or can restrict display to a position. (A position refers to where the first finger is placed on the fretboard and all the notes that can be reached by the other fingers.) Example: 2nd position means first finger at the 2nd fret.

In many cases selecting 4 note positions will display all of the scale notes in a position. In some cases selecting 5 note positions may be necessary - this is sometimes called an extended position where either the first or fourth fingers stretches to reach a note outside the normal 4 note position. This technique is often employed when playing scales with 3 notes on each string.

Selecting All Positions will display notes over the entire length of the fretboard.

Play

Clicking the 'play' button causes the current scale to be played. Guitar Power can output to your computer's sound card or to a MIDI instrument. For information concerning MIDI setup, click here.

Info

Clicking the 'info' button opens a window containing further information about the current scaletype. This includes some practise chord progressions and play-along backing tracks. For more information click here.