Leaderboard

Way to go, Stefan. Now to answer your question, while being practical: Somebody did some research and found that in thirty million songs, one-third of them are written in the four major keys of G, C, D, and A. The most common keys of songs written in minor keys are Am, Em, and Bm. It’s noted that Am is the relative minor of C, Em is the relative minor of G, and Bm is the relative minor of D. Also E#m is the relative minor of A, one of the four common keys. Add to this the fact that G is the most easy key to play on guitar. If you consider that guitarists often accompany piano, the key of C is the most common key for a piano, but not so much for a guitar. E is easy to play on guitar, but not piano. The key of G is easy to play on both piano and guitar. What does all this mean? If you memorize the keys of G, C, D, A, Am, Em, Bm, and E#m, you’ll probably be able to play just about any song solo or accompany a piano player. And memorizing eight keys is much easier than putting the entire Circle of Fifths to memory. It’s a practical answer to your question. And let's not forget that wonderful thing called a Capo. Lotsa luck. Best, John

Hi, @Stefan , way to go! Session 7 is a big step. The answer to your question really depends on where you want to go on guitar. But I would advise: yes, unequivocally, learn all 12 scales. The flats, sharps, and key signatures. Give it a couple of minutes every day until, as Steve says, you can say them as fast as you can write them, even as you start on Session 8. The payoffs are big. Knowing the scales will demystify intervals and prepare you for spelling any chord in the book. And when you practice all those scales, as in Steve's major scales workout, the fretboard begins to open up. You start seeing notes instead of dots. Go for it.

I attended the “old” Legacy Learning Gatherings in 2009 and 2010. I’m really excited to come back to Nashville to see Steve and continue the journey. I think I know a lot more than I did 10 years ago but I still consider myself a guitar “owner”... I know some real “players” and my skill level is at a plateau several layers below. It will be a blast and my wife, Rita, is coming as well. My younger brother, Jim, attended last year and he’s one of the real players I know... See y’all soon (or, all y’all, as they say in Texas).

Thank you Steve and I agree. I lost track of you for a while and I’m glad I found this forum. I have enjoyed your guitar course and all the online stuff you have done. Kevin

Thanks, Neil, for all you do. It's needed. You are aware, I hope, that an organized desk is the sign of a sick mind. Just a joke. Lotsa luck. Best, John 😀