The Starting String and Finger System

Lets identify positions, not in an absolute manner (by fret), but according to what
finger and string the first note is played on. It is a relative system: 6th (string)
2nd (finger)
For example, 6-2 means that the first note of the position, also called root, is
played with the second finger on the sixth string. That relative location can be
applied to any fret on the guitar.
For example, if we say G major scale in 6-2 it implies three things:
Play a G note as a root
With your second finger
On the sixth string.
So G major scale in 6-2 will have you place your 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of
the 6th string (G note).
Seven Most Common Positions (String-Finger)
The following seven positions are, to me and many other professional guitarists,
the most important ones. Its essential that you learn them in and out if you want to
master jazz guitar scales:
6-2
6-1
4-1
5-4
5-2
5-1
6-4
The fingerings with the same finger number are very similar (such as 6-2 and 52). It will help trememdously for memorization. More on that later. It probably
doesnt make any sense to you right now, so lets play them! Each position is
clearly explained (with tabs and diagram) below.
Demonstration: 7 Positions for the Major Scale
Lets play the above mentioned positions in G major. I like that key because it lays
well on the fretboard and the string-finger identifiers makes sense.
Well start low on the fingerboard (near the nut) and climb all the way up. The
positions will appear in the same order as they do on the bullet-list above.
A quick technical note : make sure your thumb is behind the neck when practicing
the scales. Make the palm of your fretting hand as round as possible (as if you

were holding a grapefruit.)

Also make sure that you practice the jazz guitar scales positions ascending and
descending.

No finger stretches are involved in 6-2.

Notice that there are three 1st finger stretches in 6-1. Do not move the entire
hand to play them. Simply reach for the notes with the index.

This is basically the same as 6-1 but on a different set of strings. You may notice
that this diagram is incomplete. There is more notes to be played in that position
and well discuss it in the next article.

No finger stretches are involved in 5-4. This is also an incomplete diagram since
more notes could be played in the position.

This is basically the same as 6-2 but on a different set of strings. Notice that this
diagram is also incomplete.

This is basically the same as 6-1 but on a different set of strings. Notice that this
diagram is also incomplete.

And finally, our pinky stretch! 6-4 is very much related to 5-4 but has this
necessary stretch of the 4th finger.

How to Remember the 7 Positions of Major

Did you notice little things here and there? Similarities, recurring patterns or
inherent logic? Of course you did!
The seven jazz guitar scales positions divide into three families or related
fingerings:
6-2 and 5-2
6-4 and 5-4
6-1, 5-1 and 4-1
In short, the finger you start on decides on the fingering to adopt. Aand were
starting scales on either the 1st, 2nd or 4th finger, thus, 3 families. So only three
master fingerings can be derived into seven positions.
ou may have also noticed that positions starting on the 6th strings are mostly
complete in themselves (covering almost the entire range of the fretting hand.)

A Quick Review
In order to make the following topics clear, lets see what weve learned so far. In
dealing with positions and jazz guitar scales you should now understand that
A position is a physical location on the fretboard. The fretting hand can
spawn up to 6 frets (with index and pinky stretches)
The whole universe, musically speaking, is contained within any position.
The range of any position is approx 2.5 octaves
Seven positions are really useful on the fretboard
The finger string system determines the starting note/root of all
positions were looking at on this website

 Three families of positions exist; their divided by starting finger (starting

with 1st, 2nd or 4th finger)
The seven positions apply to the major scale at first
The seven positions then apply to the melodic minor scale simply by
changing one note from the major scale fingerings
The positions, tabs and diagrams in the previous jazz guitar scales article are
incomplete in themselves (well address that right now!)
If any of this sound unfamiliar, please read the first article and/or this second
article on jazz guitar scales.
Ok, youve got the seven positions down and memorized? Good!
In melodic minor as well? Oups maybe not?!
Dont worry, it takes time to digest all that information. On the long run though,
you want the seven positions of major and melodic minor (in 12 keys) to be part of
the common stuff you play everyday.

Completing the Seven Positions

I would like to throw away the diagrams for now, using only tabs and music
notation. I think I saw too many pictures of fretboards covered with dots in
books. So here they are as promised: all the major positions completed with all
the available notes in the reach of the hand in each of the seven positions. From
now on, the concept of position incorporate all the available notes at all times.

You have to be conscious of every note that is within your reach in each
position.
It is still in G major and this time the example will ascend / descend to cover all
the notes. Please see each scale as the complete positions own little etude.

Remember to stretch the index to reach to the fifth fret. So the frets 7, 8 and 9th
should be played with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers. Stick to that diligently. (Also
applies to 6-1 and 5-1)
Later on, if you want to experiment, you may want to use the exact same finger
locations but reach out with the pinky instead. It will feel and play differently since
the pinky is a weaker finger.

Pay attention : There is now a first finger stretch (on the first and sixth string) in
this position.

Again, stretch with first finger

Only one finger stretch with pinky.

Major Scale played Diagonally

The keys of G and C are used as models here: We clearly see the diagonal
motion starting on 5th and 6th strings.

Note: Start the scales with fingers 1-2-4 (NOT fingers 1-3-4)

Some Guidelines
#1 Stretch Between Middle and Ring Fingers
Stretch between first and second fingers. Dont move the entire hand: simply
reach out with the index while the left hand stays.
#2 Shift with Index
The shifts (slides) are performed with the first finger between half-steps.
#3 Break the Rules
In other scales/modes you may have to stretch between third and fourth fingers
and/or to shift with the fourth finger.
-In GeneralIts all about the hand staying while the outside (1st and 4th) fingers stretching
and shifting. Experiment and you will find your way of doing it comfortably.

Melodic Minor Scale played Diagonally

The same principles apply in minor. Try the melodic minor scale fingerings below.
Use fingers 1-2-3 on the lowest string so you are still stretching between first and
second fingers.
The keys of G and C are used as models here : We clearly see the diagonal
motion starting on 5th and 6th strings.

Note: Start the scales with fingers 1-2-3 (NOT fingers 1-3-4)

Suggested Exercises for Jazz Guitar Scales in Diagonal

Learn C and G major really well in diagonal (2 octaves). Theyre shown
exactly in diagrams above.
Using the same fingering from C major diagonal (above) play
Bb, B, C, Db, D and Eb and E major scales. You simply have to move the
hand up or down to the good starting note on the 5th string and employ the
exact same fingerings.
Using the same fingering from G major diagonal play
F, Gb, G, Ab, A, Bb and B major scales. Once again, simply move the hand up
or down to the good starting note and employ the exact same fingerings.
The two previous exercises made you play the major scale in 12 keys. Isnt that
great, that you can now play in twelve keys just by knowing only 2 diagonal
fingerings for Jazz guitar scales?!
Optional bur recommended: Apply the above to find the melodic minor scale in 12
keys.
Learn other scales/modes for tunes your are improvising on diagonally on 2-3

octaves. Find your own fingerings, and attempt to keep the same fingers on each
octave. Thats the goal.