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Intermediate dobro lesson

Major Scales on the Dobro

In this lesson Mark explains what a scale is, what intervals are, and the whole and half step pattern of the major scale. He then plays the G major scale in open position in two octaves, the D major scale from the open fourth string, and the A major scale in two octaves.

What you'll learn

• What a scale is and what intervals are
• The major scale pattern: whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half
• That a whole step is two frets and a half step is one fret
• The G major scale (G, A, B, C, D, E, F sharp, G) in open position, with alternating thumb and fingers
• The D major scale starting on the open fourth string
• The A major scale in two octaves starting at the second fret of the sixth string

Step by step

1. G major, low octave: thumb on the open sixth string (G); index on the sixth string, second fret (A); thumb on the open fifth string (B); index on the fifth string, first fret (C); middle on the open fourth string (D); thumb on the fourth string, second fret (E); fourth string, fourth fret (F sharp); open third string (G).
2. G major, high octave: thumb on the open third string; index on the third string, second fret; thumb on the open second string (B); index on the second string, first fret; first string open; first string, second fret; first string, fourth fret; first string, fifth fret for the high G.
3. D major from the open fourth string: fourth string open (D); fourth string, second fret (E); fourth string, fourth fret; open third string (G, a half step); a whole step to A; open second string (B); second string, second fret (C sharp); then a half step to D.
4. A major, first octave: sixth string, second fret; fifth string open; fifth string, second fret; fourth string open; fourth string, second fret; fourth string, fourth fret; third string, first fret; third string, second fret.
5. A major, second octave: third string, second fret (A); second string open (B); second string, second fret (C sharp); first string open (D); first string, second fret (E); first string, fourth fret (F sharp); first string, sixth fret.

In Mark's words

“Scales help you develop solos. Scales also tell you about theory within music.”

“A whole step is just two frets.”

“A half step is only one fret. On any instrument that has frets.”

“The guitar is tuned to open G, so it kind of helps you play to that particular major scale.”

Questions

What is the major scale pattern?

Mark gives the major scale as whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step. A whole step is two frets and a half step is one fret.

How do you play a G major scale on dobro?

Start with the thumb on the open sixth string (G), then the sixth string second fret (A), open fifth string (B), fifth string first fret (C), open fourth string (D), fourth string second fret (E), fourth string fourth fret (F sharp), and the open third string (G). Mark alternates his thumb and fingers as he picks.

How do you play a D major scale on dobro?

Mark starts on the open fourth string (D), then the fourth string second and fourth frets, then the open third string (G). He continues with a whole step to A, the open second string (B), the second string second fret (C sharp), and a half step to D. You can also play the same pattern in a closed position from the seventh fret.

What is an interval in music?

Mark explains that a scale is a set of notes played in a specific order with specific space in between them, and those spaces between the notes are called intervals.

How many frets is a half step on dobro?

A half step is one fret, and a whole step is two frets.

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