In the previous blogarticle I discussed the CAGED system, how this system makes it possible to move open chordshapes around on the fretboard to create new chords.
For this blogarticle I will go into detail how you can use the CAGED system for moveable scalepatterns. Movable scalepatterns work like moveable, open chordshapes: One scalepattern can be played all over the fretboard to create different keys for the same scale. Very useful for improvising and getting to know the notes on the fretboard better.
Here is a tab. scaleform which uses the A-shape. The example is in the scale of C major:
E ———————————————–
B ————————————————
G ——————————2–4—-5——–
D —————–2–3–5———————–
A ———3–5———————————–
E ————————————————-
How do you know this scalepattern is in C major? The first note on the A string is the Rootnote, it is the 3rd fret on the A string and it makes it the note of C. When you play through all the notes you will find that the last note ( fret 5 on the G string) is also a C, but one Octave higher than the C on the A string.
How do you turn this scalepattern into a scale with a different key? Simply move the pattern around to the right note (= Key of Scale) of the A string and play pattern again. Now you can play same scale but get the sound of a different key.
What makes this scalepattern using the A- shape? When you look at the given example in key of C you will notice that fret 5 on the D string and fret 5 on the G string form part of the A-shape chord. Play those same two notes 3 frets down and you play actually part of an A chord. The shape you visually play creates the shape of a known open chord. Use this knowledge as a memory aid to help you navigate around the fretboard when playing in different keys.
Here another example. this one is a tab. for moveable D-shape scalepattern. The example is in the key of F
E ———————————————————-
B —————————————3–5—6———-
G —————————-2–3–5———————-
D ———————3–5——————————–
A ———————————————————-
E ———————————————————-
Again as before, this is a one Ocatve scalepattern in a major key. The key is F because of the 3rd fret on D string. Play through all the notes and you find fret 6 on the B string being an F again, but one Ocatve higher than the first F.
Why is this scale pattern using the D-shape? Play fret 5 G string and fret 6 B string at same time, add fret 5 on the high E string, and you actually play a D-shape chord in they of F. Move this chordshape down 3 frets and you will find your well-known open D chord!
Move around the scalepattern to play scale in different keys. Keep checking the Rootnote to find the right key for the scale you need.
For this example a tab. for a moveable E-shape scalepattern. This time two Ocataves and the example is in the key of G.
E ———————————————————–2—3——–
B —————————————————3–5——————
G —————————————-2–4–5————————–
D ——————————-2–4–5———————————–
A ———————2–3–5———————————————
E ————–3–5——————————————————–
Rootnotes for this two-octave scalepattern are fret 3 on the low E string, fret 5 on the D string and fret 3 on the high E string.
Simply move scalepattern around to play in different key.
What makes this scalepattern using E-shape? Play fret 3 E string, fret 5 A string, fret 5 D string and fret 4 on G string at same time, and you play a G chord using E-shape. Move chordshape 4 frets down and you will find yourself playing an open E chord: the first note is now the low, open E string.
There are two open chordshapes left: The C-shape and G-shape. See if you can find the moveable scalepatterns for those two open chords for yourself. Check the scaleshapes against the chordshapes to help you see why you actually play scales in the chordshapes of C and G
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Eddie