Guitar Scales & Changing Key?

Question

Im confused on how exactly your supposed to change the key of a scale. I Drew an example in MS Paint to illustrate what I'm saying. (I didn't think the tablature would look correct if I posted it here) Here it is:

http://i30.tinypic.com/29b22km.jpg

Is that how I would change from an A Major to a C Major? Just by moving everything up three frets?

Answer 1

Nope....your are getting the wrong answers.

You don't have to move one inch. Just remember that all the scales fit within the range of 5 frets in total.

From A major, use the  A- B-C on the 6th string, then D-E-F on the 5th

then G-A-B on the 4th

then C -D on the 3rd

then E-F-G on the 2nd

then A-B-C on the 1st string

That is the correct change. Why move your hand all over the fingerboard. What I am showing is the correct way and the fastest way to play it.

Answer 2

Yes thats right

Answer 3

No!!!!!!!!!! because whatecer key you are in it has a different key signature. Like the A scale has, oh I think it is like 3 sharps, because this is how the sharps go: C (no Sharps), G (1 sharp), D (2 sharps) and then so on and so forth, A, E, B. So it all changes. So you can't just move it up because it should all be done within 5 frets and there will be sharps in one scale where there isn't in another scale. Hope this helped. It is a little confusing.

Answer 4

yes.

or just put a capo at the 3rd fret and use the same tab. count the fourth fret as 1

Answer 5

Actually, Tyson, this is one correct way to play a C major scale - memorize the A major scale and just play three frets higher. All of the intervals stay the same, so the same fingering can be used. You can move this fingering around, up and down the fret, and as long as you pay attention to where your root is, you're good to go.

The answer about playing in the same position is also correct, though! This is one pattern for playing the major scale, and it can be moved up and down the fretboard as is. However, it is not the only major scale pattern. There are other patterns, and at least one of those would be easier to play starting from the same approximate place as you were.

The drawback is that you'd have to learn a different major scale pattern. Not a bad thing, of course, when you're ready.

I think I should mention that if you are playing over an A major - C major progression, this is not necessarily the best way to solo over it... but that's for a different answer, perhaps.

What we are doing here is talking about transposing... taking a chord or scale or progression and changing the whole key (playing a song in G rather than in C, for instance). This is different from modulation, which is where you are playing in one key and transition into playing a different one. (a song starts off in the key of G and has an interlude in the key of C)

Modulation is a bit of an art rather than a specific science, but if that's what you want to know more about, then I would post that as a specific question, do some googling about chord modulation, or maybe even email me directly and I can do my best to answer your questions.

Saul