#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

3 String Scales?

I know some scales on my traditional 6 string guitar, (pentatonic) Are there scales for 3 string and what tuning would I use and, I've been using the simple open tuning GDG, EBE, AEA, like that. I hope this starts a long discussion as I'm sure it will be helpful to many of us new 3 stringers. Thanks

Scales, how do they look on a 3 string?

0 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on April 20, 2010 at 3:29am

yea, the same o, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12 that you are used to. with "open tunings" those positions hold up on all three strings....

Diane in Chicago introduced us to a "blues dulcijo" that was fretted with this pentatonic pattern.... I've done several and they are great "teaching tool" to help get the idea of soloing on a blues scale that you can then translate to a chromatic fretted instrument.

the best,

Wichita Sam

Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on April 21, 2010 at 1:44am

Thanks Sam, I'll see if I can figure that out. I had seen the Bluescimer idea and thought it sounded like a good one.

Permalink Reply by 3 String Blues on June 26, 2010 at 3:38am

minor pentantonic is the best

Permalink Reply by Sarah Bates on July 12, 2010 at 9:47am

To Witchita Sam: I am a noobie to this craft. Exactly how far apart do I place my fret wires on the neck so as to create a pentatonic fret pattern?
Many thanks,
SarahBear

Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on July 14, 2010 at 8:05am

Sarah,

use any chromatic fret scale position tool (lays out 12 (1/2) steps per octave and then actuallly place frets only on 3,5,7,10, 12, etc...... That will give you a perfectally freted pentatonic fret pattern....

the best,

Wichita Sam

Sarah Bates said:

To Witchita Sam: I am a noobie to this craft. Exactly how far apart do I place my fret wires on the neck so as to create a pentatonic fret pattern?
Many thanks,
SarahBear

Permalink Reply by Jarmo Katajisto on August 20, 2010 at 2:41am

http://www.bellyjellymusic.com/downloads.htm

Wichita Sam said:

Sarah,

use any chromatic fret scale position tool (lays out 12 (1/2) steps per octave and then actuallly place frets only on 3,5,7,10, 12, etc...... That will give you a perfectally freted pentatonic fret pattern....

the best,

Wichita Sam

Sarah Bates said:
To Witchita Sam: I am a noobie to this craft. Exactly how far apart do I place my fret wires on the neck so as to create a pentatonic fret pattern?
Many thanks,
SarahBear

Permalink Reply by 3 String Blues on August 30, 2010 at 4:42am

Jarmo!

Permalink Reply by Manu on September 13, 2010 at 10:55pm

I'm gonna publish a book about scales for 3 string that use open tuning very soon. It'll be free, but I accept donations.
In the meantime check out my book about chords, here's the link:
http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/the-ultimate-chord-book

Permalink Reply by Richard Sanabia on September 14, 2010 at 12:43am

Wow, what an effort! Bless you Manu.

Permalink Reply by Jarmo Katajisto on September 14, 2010 at 1:01am

Yes, John :)

3 string guitar said:

Jarmo!

Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on September 14, 2010 at 2:19am

Manu,

Wow and double Wow!!! I like it.... the only issue I have is that "span of 5 frets thing" (older with Arthritis setting in :-( ).... but looking at your book there are a lot of chords I could use. Where do I sent that "donation"? Need a rep? (hehehehe, only partly joking, but serious about where to send the donation!!!! Work like this needs to be rewarded....

the best,

Wichita Sam

Manu said:

I'm gonna publish a book about scales for 3 string that use open tuning very soon. It'll be free, but I accept donations.
In the meantime check out my book about chords, here's the link:
http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/the-ultimate-chord-book

Permalink Reply by Manu on September 14, 2010 at 2:35am

Hi Wichita Sam. Thanks for your kind words.
For the donation get my email address lustway101@gmail.com and go to this page:

https://personal.paypal.com/cgi-bin/marketingweb?cmd=_render-conten...

here the instructions on how it works:

https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/Marketing/m/demo/demo_sendmoney...

Wichita Sam said:

Manu,
Wow and double Wow!!! I like it.... the only issue I have is that "span of 5 frets thing" (older with Arthritis setting in :-( ).... but looking at your book there are a lot of chords I could use. Where do I sent that "donation"? Need a rep? (hehehehe, only partly joking, but serious about where to send the donation!!!! Work like this needs to be rewarded.... the best,

Wichita Sam

Manu said:
I'm gonna publish a book about scales for 3 string that use open tuning very soon. It'll be free, but I accept donations.
In the meantime check out my book about chords, here's the link:
http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/the-ultimate-chord-book