Horizontal Scale Playing
Playing on one string can be very effective and can lend itself to guitar techniques such as bending, sliding, hammer ons/ pull offs and many more. Many guitarists have used it to great effect such as blues slide guitarist Derek Trucks. To be able to play a scale across a string we need to know its’ particular interval formula made up of an interval set. A list of scale interval formulas can be seen on the Scale Theory: Interval Sets page.
Major Scale
Section titled “Major Scale”G major scale starting on the open G string starting.
The interval formula shows us the location of the notes in a G Major Scale are:
G A B C D E F♯
C major scale starting from the 3rd fret on the A string.
The interval formula shows us the location of the notes in a C Major Scale are:
C D E F G A B
Pentatonic Scales
Section titled “Pentatonic Scales”Major Pentatonic
Section titled “Major Pentatonic”G Major Pentatonic scale starting on the open G string starting.
The interval formula shows us the location of the notes in a G Major Pentatonic Scale are:
G A B D E
C Major Pentatonic Scale starting from the 3rd on the A string.
The interval formula shows us the location of the notes in a C Major Pentatonic Scale are:
C D E G A