A Major guitar scale for left-handed players: how to play all main positions. Convenient tabs and charts next.
A Major scale is a musical scale with a main root note A. This scale consists of eight notes: A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, and A. These notes are played in a specific order, going up and down in a pattern.
Scales have many positions and patterns on the guitar fretboard. To better memorize and practice scales divide them into “box” patterns. These patterns are played within 4-5 frets and no more than 3 notes per string.
Next, we will look at the most common “boxes” between 0 and 12th fret. After the 12th fret scale patterns are repeated.
How to Play Left-Handed A Major Scale
To play A Major scales on left-handed guitar use the chart below. The symbols indicate on which fret which string to press and which right-hand fingers to use.
Note: The charts below show the basic finger positions. But you may be more comfortable playing a particular scale in a different way. Try, practice and you’ll find the most suitable scheme for you.
To play accurately and quickly, try to play compactly with minimal hand and finger movement.
Left-Handed A Major Scale Positions
Scale positions are not determined by the fret number as with chords, but by the note at which the pattern begins.
For example, the first position of the A major scale is not played from the first fret of the 6th string, but from the 5th fret on the 6th string.
For simplicity, I will associate the scale positions with the fret numbers.
Open position:
The open position of the A Major scale plays at the beginning of the fretboard on the open 6th string.
On 5th fret:
On the 5th fret, start playing the scale with the middle finger.
On 7th fret:
On the 7th fret, start playing the scale with the index finger.
