What is the point of learning the major scale on the guitar?

Question

All it does is show you where all of the major note are. You cant really improvise on it. Its just like improvising but without minor notes.

Answer 1

Can't improvise with it?  Are you smokin' crack, or what.  The major scale is what you are using - even though you may not realize it.   The natural minor for any key is simply the major scale starting from the major sixth and resolving back to that major sixth.  Otherwise your completly out of key which is fine if your playing some avant-garde music, but even those guys no the rules - they just choose to break them.

Answer 2

it helps with builind solos. in my guitar education i skipped scales all together now im stuck with chords only. big mistake

Answer 3

It is EXTREMELY important if you wanna learn how to improvise or write songs.

You seem to be a beginner... my advice to you would be this:

Do NOT attempt to take any shortcuts or cut corners if you want to be really good at improvising... the major scale is pretty much the very foundation of what you will be doing. You have to take steps at a time.

Answer 4

well i recommend pentatonic minor, aeolian(spelling?), and harmonic minor. i learned the major scale and there is really no point unless you want to write childrens songs, christmas songs ..etc. you CAN improvise on it .... it just sounds a little too happy and innocent for the liking of most

Answer 5

once again. you learn the shape of the scale ... and the scale changes by where the root note is within the scale...

Answer 6

i think all scales are good to practice because it REALLY helps with doing solos

Answer 7

Every scale is equally important. And you can improvise on every scale as well. Yes, scales are the most boring thing to learn on any instrument but it's VERY important to learn.

Answer 8

Learning the major scales will help you step up to the more important scales for playing, such as minor and pentatonic scales. If you are already playing chords you can go back and work in the scales. I did and it has helped me with playing riffs and lead parts. And, there are no minor notes, just majors and semi-tones either sharps or flats.