SCALES
There are 22 scales that are mostly used in composition and improvisation. I've included a couple here so you can get an idea on how I organize scales.  Before playing the scales check out the Scales Intro document, this will give you information on Physical Technique, Theoretical Knowledge, Aural Recognition and Musical Application. Memorizing scales is more than just memorizing a fingering pattern. There are many factors that will make the difference between learning a pattern and apply a scale musically. If you find this helpful I would suggest the book:


There is also a digital version of this book available:


There is also an excellent four DVD series I put together for Truefire.com which covers 19 of scales.  You can find more about this at:

CHORDS
This chord section covers some of the basic moveable chords forms you need to know to play any music. As with all chords you need to apply them to chord progression to remember them and learn how they are used in real music. To learn more chords and apply them to chord progressions I would recommend the physical book:


If you want a much cheaper digital version you will find it here. 


If you already know all you chords with roots based on the lower E and A string then I highly recommend this digital download which applies these chords to 36 chord progressions and explains Harmonic Superimpostion Theory:


Please note that these are the same progressions found in the Chord Workbook for Guitar and New York Guitar Method Ensemble Book One.

ARPEGGIOS AND SWEEPS
Arpeggios are important for learning to improvise over chords or just for an alternative idea to scales.  You will find an example of how I teach arpeggios below.  If you are interested in the fingering and uses for arpeggios you can check out the book


There is also a digital version of this book available at:


Sweeps are an interesting way of playing arpeggios or arpeggios with added tensions.  I've included the sweeps from the root below if you would like to learn all of these sweeps from the root, 3rd, 5th and 7th.  I would recommend this digital download:

THEORY
Music Theory teaches you the language of music.  The examples here help a student to learn the basics of music theory and then apply this knowledge to exercises on the guitar.  These pages are excerpts from the book:


There is also a digital version of this book available here:


If you find this way of learning helpful then there are 100 pages of exercises like this in the previously mentioned book.  These include more background information on the basic music theory, scale and interval construction, the building of triads and 7th chords, diatonic triads and 7th chords, and tensions.   If you just want to quiz yourself on intervals I would highly recommend this digital download that asks you music theory questions based on intervals then provides the answer.  It's a great way to learn music theory anywhere that you can listen to an ipod. 

FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS
This Further Investigations will cover more advanced concepts on improvisation and other information that I feel will help to raise your musicianship. It is highly recommended that you check out the book list. Contained within these books is the information that many of the great improvisors and composers have used to educate themselves. Although some of these books will take you years to fully understand the knowledge contained is well worth the study. 

The Trichord Improvisation covers the method I use for writing and improvising.  If you find this interesting the book:


There is also a digital version of this book which can be found here: