Guitar in Fourth Gear Perfect Fourths Tuning: Part 7 Major Scale horizontal 3NPS

In this lesson, I demonstrate how to play the major scale across the entire fretboard using three-notes-per-string patterns in perfect fourths tuning.

By tuning in perfect fourths, scale shapes repeat cleanly across all strings without the pattern breaks found in standard tuning. We move horizontally across the neck and vertically through all seven modes—Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian—using just three repeating finger patterns.

This approach is designed to build long-term fretboard fluency through slow, consistent practice rather than memorization of isolated positions.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

0:01 – Introduction and Goals
Overview of Part 7: horizontal major scale and vertical modes in perfect fourths tuning.

0:15 – Horizontal vs. Diagonal Three-Notes-Per-String
How this approach differs from diagonal shifting patterns.

0:33 – Why Perfect Fourths Simplifies Patterns
Continuous shapes, no B-string break, and repeating structures.

0:50 – Perfect Fourths “Top-Up” Tuning Setup
Tuning at the fifth fret and raising the B and high E strings.

1:45 – Major Scale Interval Review
Whole steps and half steps that define the major scale.

2:27 – Three Core Finger Patterns
Whole–whole, half–whole, and whole–half groupings.

3:02 – Why Patterns Stay Consistent Across Strings
How fourths tuning preserves fingering shapes when shifting strings.

4:23 – Overview of the Demonstration Flow
Moving horizontally across the neck through all modes.

5:02 – Ionian Mode (Major Scale)
Starting on C, three-notes-per-string fingering, and visual color coding.

6:38 – Practice Philosophy
Learning shapes slowly to build speed through understanding.

7:48 – Pattern Repetition Across Modes
Seeing the same three finger patterns repeat up the neck.

8:28 – Dorian Mode
How the pattern wraps and shifts when starting on D.

10:26 – Understanding the 1–4–5 Relationship
Why certain whole-step patterns cluster on the fretboard.

14:04 – Smooth Dorian Playthrough
Hearing and feeling the Dorian pattern cleanly.

14:07 – Phrygian Mode
Starting higher on the neck and maintaining the same shapes.

16:53 – Lydian Mode
Raised fourth sound and visible tritone relationships.

19:16 – Lydian Playthrough
Clean demonstration and discussion of tonal color.

19:41 – Mixolydian Mode
Starting on G and reinforcing pattern familiarity.

21:19 – Long-Term Practice Mindset
Consistency over weeks and months to internalize patterns.

22:22 – Aeolian Mode (Natural Minor)
Repeating shapes as the modes cycle upward.

24:14 – Locrian Mode
Adjusting position due to fretboard limits.

24:55 – Completing the Full Major Scale
Covering the entire scale using only three patterns.

25:09 – Key Takeaway
Simple patterns, deep results through repetition.

25:25 – Books, Resources, and Closing
How this material fits into the perfect fourths book series and future topics.