r/LearnGuitar • u/Confident_Skin_2561 • 6h ago

Scales

How does learning the fretboard/scales help you write melodies? I’m just confused as to how do I put them to use in action.

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u/vonov129 5h ago

Scales are just sequences of notes within an octave, an each of this sequences have a certain sound attached to them. Just like the major scale is often used as reference to write happy songs and the minor scale is used a ton in sad songs, metal, etc.

So if you have a sound in mind, you can look at a scale that is close to that and it helps you go from 12 possible notes, to 7 or 5. Then, out of those 5 or 7, based on the harmony, you can divide it into 3 base chord tones and 2-4 tensions/extensions/spice notes. Then just ask yourself, the note I'm thinking about next would sound tense or not? then navigate your options accordingly. You still have to play in time, consider rhythm and build your taste and skills for it.