Pick a scale.
See it on the neck, hear it, and find the chords it fits.
- A majorThe do-re-mi scale everything else is measured against.
- A minorNatural minor, also called aeolian.
- A major pentatonicFive notes, no clashes: country, folk and pop melodies.
- A minor pentatonicThe first scale most players learn: rock and blues solos.
- A bluesMinor pentatonic plus one 'blue' note.
- A dorianMinor with a brighter 6th: funk, jazz and Santana.
- A mixolydianMajor with a flat 7th: rock, blues and folk.
- A lydianMajor with a raised 4th: film scores and dream pop.
- A phrygianMinor with a flat 2nd: flamenco and metal.
- A harmonic minorMinor with a raised 7th: classical, gypsy jazz and neoclassical metal.