3 Note Per String Scales

Another method for playing scales on the guitar is to arrange the notes so that you have 3 notes on every string. These shapes are commonly called, not surprisingly, 3 note per string scales. The first thing you should notice in these shapes is that obviously there are 3 notes per string. More importantly, you should notice that each string features 1 of a possible 3 fingerings. If the notes on the string are spread by...

• A Wholestep, Then Halfstep - Finger using your 1st, 3rd and 4th fingers
  A Halfstep, Then Wholestep - Finger using your 1st, 2nd and 4th fingers
  A Wholestep, Then Another Wholestep - Finger using your 1st, 2 and 4th fingers

You may come across a situation where a different fingering may be used if happens to be more comfortable but use the above as general guidelines.

The following scale diagrams have been rotated 90 degrees from traditional scale diagrams. Because these shapes are 6 or 7 frets long, they are hard to read when displayed vertically. When displayed horizontally they are much easier to read. Any type of guitar neck diagram is commonly displayed horizontally if the diagrams stretch past 5 frets.

Like the other scale shapes, these are moveable meaning you can play them in any key. The diagrams feature dots with red outlines around them. These red outlines identify the root notes of the scale. The following diagrams are in the key of F, so every dot with a red outline is the note F. To play in the Key of C, move the dots with the red outline to the note C.

There are 7 shapes on the guitar that conform to the 3 note per string rules. These are they.

Part II - Why And How To Use These Shapes