I never understand it because no one can provide why they are so important. They only say, don't think about it, just learn it.

I can't seem to practice scales without motivation. Someone enlighten me?

Scales are the individual notes that fall under a certain key.

For example the key of C includes the C major scale, where there are no sharp or flats. C D E F G A B C
You can also use scales that can correspond to a chord progression. C eb F# you can use each scale and it will relatively fit with each chord.

When you write a song the chords are not always in one key so you gotta see which scales will fit if you want to use one scale throughout the whole song. chances are you will use multiple scales.

TL:DR Knowings scales means you will know what notes will sound good with the song you are playing.

which will help creating songs
( i think ? )

I assume you connect multiple scales together until you get the sound you want, correct?

its not enough just to practice scales. You also have to know what they are about

truth is, the most important scale is the Major Scale

every other scale derive from the major scale, so learn the major scale and all the other scales will make sense.

now, from the major scale we also make up chords. For example,

From the C Major scale
1--2--3--4--5---6--7--8(octave)
C--D--E--F--G--A--B--C Pattern: WWHWWWH W:whole step, H:half step

Cmaj - C--E--G <--Major triad
Cmin - C--Eb--G <--Minor triad (notice the only difference is the flattening of the 3rd)

theres A LOT more chords you can make, but the point is that they are all made from using the major scale.


Harmonizing the major scale:

http://www.zentao.com/guitar/theory/chord-scale.html

Ty for the link I have some new things to practice

Scales are awesome because once you've learnt them, your improvising world has just expanded 10 fold. Try learning the pentatonic in E, then play a backing track on youtube in the key of E, and then you'll notice you can play a massive long solo for the entireity. Enjoy

memorizing scales is useless (well, not really). You have to understand music theory. By understand music theory you will better understand scales and why they are used. They are practiced for many reasons. A person who understands scales and chords together can make their own work all day long.

This post was edited by AF_CurT on Dec 18 2009 05:49am

You don't have to understand music theory, what a stupid statement. I don't know theory but I know more scales than I know what to do with. Explain that...

Chances are if you were to study music theory enough, you would end up memorizing scales anyway...