How do you identify each scale pattern box?

Each scale pattern box is shaded a specific color and circumscribed by a darker solid bracket line. The boxes overlap each other almost like a series of playing cards.




In the case where two patterns overlap; hiding the underlying shaded color of the next pattern, it is still identified by its solid color bracket line.

In this example, note that pattern box 4 is green. The number 4 is in a green box, the solid color bracket line is green and the inside of the box is shaded green. But you can also see that it extends from fret 1 to just past fret 4 - as marked by the solid green line.

Use the outer solid color bracket lines to get a quick visual of the overall pattern box while you are playing. The obvious clue is the shading of the box itself which your eye can not miss. Then its just a matter of spotting the green solid line to see where the pattern stops.

Now let's take a look at a real life example of how a guitar player (you) can use the guitar map to play a specific scale pattern along with a backing track in this video clip. And while you are watching this video, download the free guitar tabliture for it.

Now you have the visual reference, the backing track and the notes from the tablature to help learn this simple scale pattern and get a tiny taste of the fun and freedom that comes from knowing the notes and scale patterns on your guitar. Its the secret to learning to improvise.

Lastly, I really want to stress how much more fun and productive your scale practise sessions will become if you play guitar scales against music in the same key. But a picture (or video in this case) is worth a thousand words.