Link triads with scales

Being able to visualize scale around triads is very handy for improvisation. Triads are the skeleton for scales. When improvising, instead of going up and down the scale, try to emphasize the notes in the triads and you will see a huge different. In this post, I’ll show you the relationship between triads and scales, how to link scale and triads.

First of all, you’ll need to review the triad shapes. There are only 10 of them for in all fourth tuning system. Read this post if you don’t know what they are https://musictechproduction.com/guitar/triads-on-all-fourth-tuning-system/

Secondly, you’ll need to review the Na system. Na system is the very good way to visualize every major modes on the whole fretboard. https://musictechproduction.com/guitar/visualize-all-modes-using-na-system/

Major triad and major scale

Link major root position triad with major scale — Surround major triad root position with major scale notes

Surround major triad 1st inversion with major scale notes

This shape is one of my favorites be cause I can use just 2 fingers to play and I can slide from M2 to M3 and repeat the shape.

Slide from M2 to M3 or revered and repeat the shape

Surround major triad 2nd inversion with major scale notes

Notes with colors are essential notes, the white notes are added to show the surrounding context. Use the white notes as the way to escape from the box of essential notes.

Minor triads and minor scales

surround minor triad, root position with minor scale notes

with this shape, I usually slide my pinky from b7 to the higher root and repeat the shape when I play up the scale. Or slide my index finger from b6 to p5 when going down.