Tomo Fujita Guitar Wisdom

There are only 12 notes. Starting from any note we can call them moving in half-steps (moving by one fret starting from the root):

R b2 2 b3 3 4 b5 5 b6 6 b7 7 and then it repeats

scales, chords and arpeggios are built by choosong some of these

major scale: R 2 3 4 5 6 7

minor scale: R 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7

dorian scale: R 2 b3 4 5 6 b7

major chord/arpeggio: R 3 5

minor chord/arpeggio: R b3 5

major7 chord/arpeggio: R 3 5 7

minor 7 chord/arpeggio: R b3 5 b7

etc.

Great question! Learn everything! Try not to think "What is the best way?" There is not one best way. In order to learn guitar well. You want to be patient & thankful! Check theory section and watch a few videos with Major scales. 1) Name of each notes 2) Do Re Mi,,, 3) Each degrees / Intervals and sing them. Try to learn my one string approach. This video is supplement for that idea!

Unstuck Your Visual Shape Guitar Playing from YouTube! (Basic Theory On One String Approach)

To Silvije Domazet
Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Tomo … I’m struggling trying to find the best way …so your advice is much appreciated. Thank You!!!
I love that you suggest being thankful.

Best
Frank

To Frank Magistri, You're very welcome! There is no best way but you can try a few things.
So happy to hear that!

Dont worry. Vertical is not hard too. Because we know the relation of strings in standard tuning. So you know the number of halfsteps between strings and that is all you need. You pick R and you know what degree is on same fret for string below and string above and you combine that with linear relations. Only always keep in mind that from G to B string the relation is different than for other adjacent pairs. Just ask if help needed about this vertical understanding of scale degrees.

About vertical learning of degrees. Tomo shows you how they relate to root when showing triads. for major R 3 5, 3 5 R, 5 R 3. Then by knowing how things work on one string you can figure out where b3 is if you know where 3 is. Same for b5 and #5. And for any other degree the story is the same. It is only due to different tuning of B string that you need to learn on string sets 321, 432, 543 and as a shape/relation 654 is the same as 543 only the root is at a different place.

You're very welcome! Please don't think "Modes" Think just Major Scale!
Best way is stay on Major scale as long as you need! Beautiful sound! Don't worry! Don't hurry! Don't expect way too fast!

Thank you Silvije Domazet!

No problem. Just dont fear some small bits of theory directly on guitary. I did and wasted years. Once these things about intervals and scale degrees settle in your mind i would agree with Tomo, you will never need diagrams, books or tab to find anything on guitar.

Thank you! Silvije Domazet!
No need diagram or any visual aspect on guitar playing!
Learn everything is good! Super slowly!