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FW 2 – Across the Strings
Yes, this is a small win. Ok, it’s a huge win.
Ever since I joined TAC, I always try to figure out the scale Tony is showing us in the lesson before he tells me. So what about FW, lesson 2? Well, he showed a major scale going across the strings and said that was harder to see. So, yeah, I wanted to see it.
First, let’s redefine whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half. I gotta ask: “Whole what? Half what?” Well, it’s a whole step or half step. Does that mean the whole step is 2 half steps? Yes, it does. See, I don’t like counting in apples and oranges. I want to count in the same currency. It’s like counting my money in US dollars and Mex pesos. It just doesn’t work for me. So, whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half, becomes 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1.
Alright, so it’s 2… what? 2 half steps in music theory but 2 frets on the guitar. So the major scale formula is 2 frets, 2 frets, 1 fret, 2 frets, 2 frets, 2 frets, 1 fret. See, now I’m happy. That’s simple enough to “see” the major scale formula across the strings.
Let’s start on the 12th fret of the 6th string. When I go across to the 5th string, I have moved up (in tone) 5 frets. Wanna test that? Ok, go to the 17th fret of the 6 string and compare it to the 12th fret of the 5 string.
Now that we have that figured out, how do we move forward by 2 frets when going from the 6 string to the 5 string? Simple. If going from the 12th fret of the 6 string to the 12th fret of the 5 string makes me go up 5 frets, and I only want to go up 2 frets, then I just move back down 3 frets to the 9th fret of the 5 string. Now, you can test this. Start on the 12th fret of the 6 string and go up 2 frets to the 14th fret. Now compare that note to the 9th fret of the 5 string.
So let’s do the major scale formula going across the strings starting on the 12th fret of the 6 string. I want to go up 2 frets, so I go across, which is 5, and back 3 to the 9th fret of the 5 string. Now go across to the 4 string and back 3 to the 6th fret for another 2 frets up. Now, we only want to go up 1 fret, or half step. Ok, go across to the 3 string, which is 5 frets up, and go back 4 frets to the 2nd string.
This is where things change. The space between the 3rd string and the 2nd string is only 4 frets, or half steps. So if I want to go up 2 frets, I go across to the 2 string, which is 4 frets, and I only have to go back to frets to the open 2 string. Well, now I can’t go far enough back to cross to the 1st string, so I’ll go 2 frets up to the 2nd fret on the 2 string. So I still can’t go back 3 frets on the 1st string for my next note, so I move up another 2 frets on the 2 string to the 4th fret.
And our last note is just 1 fret up. So I go across to the 1 string, which is 5 frets, and back 4 frets to the open 1 string.
So, let’s summarize that. First, let’s define a shorthand: 6s, 12f means 6 string, 12th fret.
Remember the formula: 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1. Ok:
6s, 12f | 5s, 9f | 4s, 6f | 3s, 2f | 2s, open | 2s, 2f | 2s, 4f | 1s, open.That would be the E major scale. Let’s start on the 15th fret of the 6 string and follow the G major scale.
6s,15f | 5s, 12f | 4s, 9f | 3s, 5f | 2s, 3f | 1s, open | 1s, 2f | 1s, 3f.I have included a fret board diagram showing the patterns I described above, following the E major scale starting on string 6, fret 12; and the G major scale starting on string 6, fret 15.
With this information, I was able to follow any of the major scale patterns that go across the strings, including the one Tony showed.
I hope this helps you also.
MG 😀
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5 Replies
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Hi @N-lightMike , thanks for sharing this “codex” for scales across strings. Very good info and a cool way to understand it. 😃,
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Yeah, @Kitman , I keep trying to figure out a way to share what I’ve learned. But it seems I think so much differently than many people that a lot of others simply don’t relate. But I’m very happy I can help anyone who sees the value of understanding the intervals across the strings. You have checked out every single chart I’ve posted, and I’m happy to share. I hope these charts have contributed to your guitar journey.
MG 😀
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Now I need a drink! Lot’s to unpack there for someone who generally plays by ear but I will be running through Fretboard Wizard soon and I hope to put this to use.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by Moonhare.
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I would be thrilled, @Moonhare , if you were to get some benefit from this. Also, check out the other post:
https://tonypolecastro.com/family-forums/topic/easy-way-to-remember-5-patterns-from-fw/
If any of this helps, awesome. If not, well, not a big deal. None of this is necessary. Your ears will always be a better guide in music than your brain, Darren.
MG 😀
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Will do Mike! Thanks
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This reply was modified 2 years, 5 months ago by
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