Playing in key throughout the fretboard can be a daunting task. So in this lesson, I will try to get rid of any fear you have about staying in key. For each scale mode, I show easy to remember, symmetrical patterns. Each pattern starts from the 3rd fret. So by playing these 7 exercises, you are at the same time learning to play throughout the fretboard in 7 different keys! These exercises are my personal favorites - I can't get enough of them! Hopefully you will get addicted to!

The top image shows how we will play the exercise ascending, and the bottom image shows how we will descend. In the top diagram, the G Major scale is shown 3 times by the color groupings. Notice how these 3 instances of the scale lead to a repeating pattern (i.e. we are doing the same exact thing 3 times). The final note shown in green signifies that that note starts the descending pattern. And in the descending diagram, we see that again, there is a repeating pattern.

You may be wondering why the ascending pattern and descending pattern are different. I did this simply to mix things up a little. If the ascent and descent were the same, then that would be too easy! Seriously though, learning two patterns for the same scale will just reinforce how to stay in key.

I have added some color coding to the tab so that you can match it up with what you see in the fretboard diagram. I really want to reinforce the repetition of the pattterns!

This exercise shows how to play throughout the fretboard by playing the Dorian mode in 3 octaves. Since the G Dorian mode is part of F Major, this exercise will enable you to effortlessly stay in the key of F.

The top image shows how we will play the exercise ascending, and the bottom image shows how we will descend. In the top diagram, the G Dorian mode is shown 3 times by the color groupings. Notice how these 3 instances of the scale lead to a repeating pattern (i.e. we are doing the same exact thing 3 times). The final note shown in green signifies that that note starts the descending pattern. And in the descending diagram, we see that again, there is a repeating pattern.

See exercise 1 for any special instructions.

This exercise shows how to play throughout the fretboard by playing the Phygian mode in 3 octaves. Since the G Phrygian mode is part of Eb Major, this exercise will enable you to effortlessly stay in the key of Eb.

The top image shows how we will play the exercise ascending, and the bottom image shows how we will descend. In the top diagram, the G Phrygian mode is shown 3 times by the color groupings. Notice how these 3 instances of the scale lead to a repeating pattern (i.e. we are doing the same exact thing 3 times). The final note shown in green signifies that that note starts the descending pattern. And in the descending diagram, we see that again, there is a repeating pattern.

See exercise 1 for any special instructions.

This exercise shows how to play throughout the fretboard by playing the Lydian mode in 3 octaves. Since the G Lydian mode is part of D Major, this exercise will enable you to effortlessly stay in the key of D.

The top image shows how we will play the exercise ascending, and the bottom image shows how we will descend. In the top diagram, the G Lydian mode is shown 3 times by the color groupings. Notice how these 3 instances of the scale lead to a repeating pattern (i.e. we are doing the same exact thing 3 times). The final note shown in green signifies that that note starts the descending pattern. And in the descending diagram, we see that again, there is a repeating pattern.

See exercise 1 for any special instructions.

This exercise shows how to play throughout the fretboard by playing the Mixolydian mode in 3 octaves. Since the G Mixolydian mode is part of C Major, this exercise will enable you to effortlessly stay in the key of C (that is easy enough on the piano!).

The top image shows how we will play the exercise ascending, and the bottom image shows how we will descend. In the top diagram, the G Mixolydian mode is shown 3 times by the color groupings. Notice how these 3 instances of the scale lead to a repeating pattern (i.e. we are doing the same exact thing 3 times). The final note shown in green signifies that that note starts the descending pattern. And in the descending diagram, we see that again, there is a repeating pattern.

See exercise 1 for any special instructions.

This exercise shows how to play throughout the fretboard by playing the Minor mode in 3 octaves. Since the G Minor mode is part of Bb Major, this exercise will enable you to effortlessly stay in the key of Bb.

The top image shows how we will play the exercise ascending, and the bottom image shows how we will descend. In the top diagram, the G Minor mode is shown 3 times by the color groupings. Notice how these 3 instances of the scale lead to a repeating pattern (i.e. we are doing the same exact thing 3 times). The final note shown in green signifies that that note starts the descending pattern. And in the descending diagram, we see that again, there is a repeating pattern.

See exercise 1 for any special instructions.

This exercise shows how to play throughout the fretboard by playing the Minor mode in 3 octaves. Since the G Locrian mode is part of Ab Major, this exercise will enable you to effortlessly stay in the key of Ab.

The top image shows how we will play the exercise ascending, and the bottom image shows how we will descend. In the top diagram, the G Locrian mode is shown 3 times by the color groupings. Notice how these 3 instances of the scale lead to a repeating pattern (i.e. we are doing the same exact thing 3 times). The final note shown in green signifies that that note starts the descending pattern. And in the descending diagram, we see that again, there is a repeating pattern.

See exercise 1 for any special instructions.