Lesson: C Major Scale in 3rds for Guitar

C Major Scale in 3rds, Two Octaves for Classical Guitar – This is from page 77 in my technique book (link below). Scales in thirds are great for your technique, musical knowledge, and practice routine. There are an endless number of exercises for finger independence and stretching but playing scales in various intervals provides an excellent workout and adds musical context and variety. Thirds are helpful to students to remember to curve their fingers and align the left hand. They are also useful to gain some music theory knowledge on the guitar and prepare you for when thirds appear in your repertoire.

This exercise is from my book Classical Guitar Technique: Essential Exercises, Scales, and ArpeggiosThe 122 page book includes: Practice Routines, Tips, 100 Open String Exercises, 120 Giuliani Arpeggios, Scales, Slur Exercises, Shifts, Finger Independence, Barre, Tremolo, Common Harmonics, and much more. YouTube Video Link.

Solid Form interval scales can be played with any logical right hand fingering such as the few listed below. These scales are excellent for learning left hand shapes and are a great workout for two-finger independence.

Broken Form interval scales allow for a more legato sound and a one-finger-at-a-time approach. I recommend starting with the solid form and then, once you feel confident, playing in broken form.

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