scales

Latest Updates

The Cult's Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy

5 ways to use Mixolydian scale – the Goldilocks mode loved by the Cult, AC/DC and Eric Johnson

By Jenna Scaramanga published

Everything from feelgood rock to funk gets better with Mixolydian, a mode used to great effect by everyone from Guns N' Roses to Kool and the Gang

Musician playing acoustic guitar on dark background

How should you learn guitar scales – and why should you bother?

By Justin Sandercoe published

Some people argue it really doesn't matter if you can't tell a pentatonic from a gin and tonic. Justin Sandercoe, one of the world's most successful guitar teachers, weighs in...

Guitar Playing

10 scales from around the world that will broaden your playing horizons

By John Wheatcroft published

Expand your harmonic and melodic potential with scales from across the globe, and learn how to integrate them in your playing

Zakk Wylde

10 ways to level up your pentatonic playing

By Total Guitar editors published

Major and minor pentatonic scale ideas in the style of Zakk Wylde, Tom Morello, Kirk Hammett and more

Give your solos an unexpected twist by using math to craft musical phrases

By Dweezil Zappa published

Utilizing number sequences to approach songwriting will yield unusual results, as Dweezil Zappa explains...

Take your blues playing in a new direction with the Dorian mode

By Jon Bishop published

Break out of your pentatonic rut with rhythm and lead lessons in the style of Santana, John Mayer and more