Here is an example of using the above scale patterns in two different keys, G and F.

All of the above finger patterns could be used to play the notes shown below.

intervals W W H W W W H

G major: notes G A B C D E F# G

The following animated graphics show how these notes can be played at several locations on the fretboard.

First in G at the second position using a portion of form 1

Next in G at the fourth position using a portion of form 2

Then in G at the seventh position using a portion of form 3

A fourth example in G at the ninth position using a portion of form 4

To transpose this scale to key of F, the same forms can be moved down a whole step (from G to F). Notice that this moves the first form to the open position (using some open strings). This form will have to be modified (or ignored) in the key of E, Eb, D and lower because those open strings move off the fingerboard. You might be able to use that scale form 12 frets higher (one octave) if necessary.

First in F at the open position using a portion of form 1

Next in F at the second position using a portion of form 2

Then in F at the fifth position using a portion of form 3

Finally in F at the seventh position using a portion of form 4

All of the above fingerings for F can be used to play the notes shown below.

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F major: notes F G A Bb C D E F

Notice how the same scale forms, moved to a different fret position, can be used for each of the two keys (G and F) above.This is how the guitar works. A single scale pattern can be used in several keys simply by moving the pattern to a different fret.

There are several other ways of playing scales on the guitar. Shown below are three of the many additional possibilities for playing a G major scale

More G Major

two notes per string

four notes per string

cross string version using as many open strings as possible
string order 3, 4, 2, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2

All of the above can be used to play the G major scale below.