The Stretch-box pattern can be used to play any Major scale anywhere on the fretboard. This post show how to use this pattern to play a two-octave run beginning on the 6th string.
The diagram below shows the pattern as a single octave beginning on G on the sixth string. The scale begins and ends on G.
Single Octave Stretch-box pattern beginning on G.
The following diagram show this pattern in the abstract. The first note and last note of the scale are indicated with an “R” (for root).
This shows the basic Stretch-box pattern in the abstract
The second octave begins where the first one ended. The last two notes of the pattern shifts up the neck one fret to accommodate the different tuning of the second string relative to the other strings. For the most part, standard guitar tuning tunes each string an interval of a fourth higher than the string below as you go from the 6th string (the lowest) to the 1st string (the highest). An exception occurs between the 3rd and 2nd string. This interval is a major 3rd.
The diagram below shows the Stretch-box pattern as it is played from the 4th to the 2nd string. You can see that the only change in the pattern occurs where the last two notes are concerned.
Major scale Stretch-box pattern from 4th to 2nd string
In the following diagram we can see what the Stretch-box pattern looks like when played for two octaves of a major scale.
Two octaves of the Major scale using the Stretch-box pattern
Fingering this pattern is easy but like anything requires a little practice. The index finger that plays the seventh note of the first octave slides up a fret to end the first octave and begin the second.
This diagram show which fingers play which notes.
Fingering pattern for two octaves beginning on the 6th String
One of the reasons I like this pattern is how well it works throughout the fretboard. It is simple and with only slight variations it can accommodate the shift between the 2nd and 3rd string. It later posts I will show how it can be used to play any scale or mode you can dream of. However, for now, I recommend practicing this pattern until you have it perfected. It will make playing the variations easier.
