The Ultimate Guitar Scale Bible: 130 Useful Scales for Improvisation

Includes 130 useful scales for improvisation and thousands of scales diagrams. Guitarists can give their playing a unique edge with exotic scales form all over the world. An instant classic. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1929395094
• ISBN13: 9781929395095
• Release Date: March 2000
• Publisher: Workshop Arts
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 1.13 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.9" x 11.7"

Customer Reviews

The book I've always wanted!

My friend showed me this book, and once I saw it I knew I had to buy it! 130 scales, each one shown in all 12 keys with a few variations (2-finger, one-string, open), it has the broad diversity of scales that I've been seeking for a long time. It also explains how the scale works musically and its general application. The people who are going to find the best use of this book though are those who understand music well enough and really want to step outside the basic major, minor and pentatonic scales, but it could be a bit confusing to everyone else. The thing is, it's a book of 130 scales with incredibly different and maybe confusing musical applications in them, so the guitarist who has little theoretical knowledge about music will have a hard time finding a place for these scales in their music (not to discourage them, for if they like messing around with scales, it could still be a bit fun). The substance, you could say, is advanced because it assumes what I'd say is an intermediate knowledge of music theory and uses the terms as if you know full well what it's talking about (I wish I could type out one of the full explanations to give an understanding), but if you feel you have that kind of experience, it's a valuable songwriting resource! I give this product a 5 because it's just what I've wanted for a long time, and I'm completely satisfied.

Very complete

A very complete scale reference book. In fact, The Guitar Workshop, the editors of this book, have a variety of interesting books for the guitarist... check it out!

Not only for guitarists

Don't be misled by the title - this book of scales has a wealth of information and inspiration to offer to any improvising singer or instrumentalist. I am a jazz singer, and this is one of my favorite (and most useful) books. Sometimes I want to practice something specific, sometimes I just open it at random - I am always rewarded. With a little basic music theory under your belt and this book as a travel guide, you will find your ears and your ideas and your music expanding in exciting ways. Highly highly recommended.

You won't need another scale book.

When I found this book, I was finally able to stop haunting music and book stores. I can't imagine needing a scale that is not in this book. It goes way beyond the modes and major/minor pentatonics that most of us use. From Lydian Dominant 13 Pentatonic to Sus4b9b5 Pentatonic, from Banshiki-Cho to Banshiki-Cho to Zokuso, you can't find a more varied listing. It gives you an explanation and enough shapes to practice for you to be able to use the scales in your playing.There's some theory and practice ideas in the appendices, but that's just icing on the cake, as is the low price. Highly recommended.