The Ultimate Guitar Scale Bible (National Guitar Workshop) [Paperback]

Alfred Publishing Staff (Author)

Book Description

Series: National Guitar Workshop | Publication Date: March 1, 2000

Includes 130 useful scales for improvisation and thousands of scales diagrams. Guitarists can give their playing a unique edge with exotic scales form all over the world. An instant classic.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Guitarist and composer Mark Dziuba has toured the country in a variety of musical circumstances. He holds a Master of Music degree in Music Theory and Composition from the University of Illinois. Mark is an Assistant Professor of Music at the State University of New York where he serves as the Director of the Jazz Studies Program. He is also a senior faculty member at the National Guitar Workshop where he has performed with many of todays leading musicians. Other books by Mark Dziuba include Stand Alone Tracks: Fusion, Stand Alone Tracks: Blues and Beyond, Introducing Alternate Tunings for Guitar and Cutting Edge Rock Guitar.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The Ultimate Guitar Scale Bible is a vast scale and chord/scale relationship reference tool. To get the most out of this book, a basic knowledge of music theory and improvisation will be helpful. All the scales in this book were chosen because of their usefulness in improvisational or compositional contexts. Use this book to supplement your existing scale knowledge and further your melodic and harmonic universe. Remember, these scales don't make the music. You do! Each page includes:

A brief description of the scale, including type, origin, construction and uses.

A one-octave expression of the scale in standard music notation with tablature, always beginning with the note C as the root.

An open position fingering with the note C as the root (the root is always shown as a black circle).

A single-string fingering using the B (2nd) string with the note C as the root.

Position fingerings in all twelve keys through the circle of 4ths. In most cases, a large variety of different fingerings is offered in this section (rather than just the same fingering transposed around the fretboard). For an explanation of the circle of 4ths, see Appendix A on page 135.

A two-note-per-string fingering, usually with an E root.

A two-measure chord vamp over which to practice the scale (in standard notation with tablature and chord symbols). The unique, two-measure vamps were created to help express the character of each scale. They were designed to be recorded or sequenced by you to use as backgrounds for exploration. Keep in mind that most of these vamps are based on the root of the scale described. All of the scales in this book may be superimposed over a variety of non-root based chord vamps. See page 137, "Scale Superimposition." I strongly suggest you read the appendices several times after paging through the book. They include important

information on:

Major scale construction and scale to "parallel major" comparison (used to determine the "flavor" of a scale).

The circle of 4ths (the twelve keys)

Definitions of important terms

Scale and chord superimposition

Practice techniques and suggestions

Melodic harmony and how to create your own chord vamps Each scale in this book can be classified into one of the following five types: 1. Harmonic System There are four harmonic systems (parent scales) used in Western music: major, harmonic minor, melodic minor (jazz minor) and harmonic major. Each one of these systems produces distinct modes that are derived by emphasizing different starting places within the scale. Each of these modes has its own unique tonality or sound. 2. Symmetric Symmetric scales are constructed from a repeating interval or set of intervals that equally divides the octave. These scales do not produce modes. A good example of this type of scale is the whole tone scale, constructed entirely of whole steps (for example, C-D-E-F#-G#-A#-C). 3. Hybrid Hybrid scales may contain elements of two or more common scales or may contain one or more "passing" or "chromatic" tones. For example, the bebop dominant scale (page 20) can be described as the Mixolydian mode (page 105, the 5th mode of the major scale, page 84) with a chromatic tone between the b7 and the root (C-D-E-F-G-A-Bb-B-C). In this book, hybrid also refers to any non-harmonic system or non-pentatonic variation. 4. Pentatonic Pentatonic usually refers to a five-note variation of the major scale and its relative minor. In this book, however, pentatonic scales include any five-note scale. 5. Exotic Any scale that is derived from a non-Western tradition. In this book, exotic scales are applied in a Western context. For example, Kumoi (page 61), a traditional Japanese scale, is applied in a minor/Major 9 harmonic context. This book provides you with a wealth of musical scales or "flavors" but more importantly, it will help you learn ways of opening new creative pathways. Enjoy!

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: NGW PUBLICATIONS (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929395094
• ISBN-13: 978-1929395095
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #392,016 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You won't need another scale book., February 3, 2002

By 

Ernie Lambert (Killeen, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ultimate Guitar Scale Bible (National Guitar Workshop) (Paperback)

When I found this book, I was finally able to stop haunting music and book stores. I can't imagine needing a scale that is not in this book. It goes way beyond the modes and major/minor pentatonics that most of us use. From Lydian Dominant 13 Pentatonic to Sus4b9b5 Pentatonic, from Banshiki-Cho to Banshiki-Cho to Zokuso, you can't find a more varied listing. It gives you an explanation and enough shapes to practice for you to be able to use the scales in your playing.
There's some theory and practice ideas in the appendices, but that's just icing on the cake, as is the low price. Highly recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book I've always wanted!, July 10, 2006

By 

Jake Schwartz (Grand Rapids, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ultimate Guitar Scale Bible (National Guitar Workshop) (Paperback)

My friend showed me this book, and once I saw it I knew I had to buy it! 130 scales, each one shown in all 12 keys with a few variations (2-finger, one-string, open), it has the broad diversity of scales that I've been seeking for a long time. It also explains how the scale works musically and its general application. The people who are going to find the best use of this book though are those who understand music well enough and really want to step outside the basic major, minor and pentatonic scales, but it could be a bit confusing to everyone else. The thing is, it's a book of 130 scales with incredibly different and maybe confusing musical applications in them, so the guitarist who has little theoretical knowledge about music will have a hard time finding a place for these scales in their music (not to discourage them, for if they like messing around with scales, it could still be a bit fun). The substance, you could say, is advanced because it assumes what I'd say is an intermediate knowledge of music theory and uses the terms as if you know full well what it's talking about (I wish I could type out one of the full explanations to give an understanding), but if you feel you have that kind of experience, it's a valuable songwriting resource! I give this product a 5 because it's just what I've wanted for a long time, and I'm completely satisfied.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not only for guitarists, April 2, 2002

By 

Laurel Masse (New York State) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ultimate Guitar Scale Bible (National Guitar Workshop) (Paperback)

Don't be misled by the title - this book of scales has a wealth of information and inspiration to offer to any improvising singer or instrumentalist. I am a jazz singer, and this is one of my favorite (and most useful) books. Sometimes I want to practice something specific, sometimes I just open it at random - I am always rewarded. With a little basic music theory under your belt and this book as a travel guide, you will find your ears and your ideas and your music expanding in exciting ways. Highly highly recommended.