Truefire Ariel Posen's Back to Basics: Scales

Master the Fretboard One Triad at a Time
Scales form the backbone of everything we play on the guitar, from melodies and riffs to fills and improvisation. But for many players, scales feel abstract, difficult to retain, and challenging to apply. The key to mastering scales isn't just memorizing shapes, it's learning them in a way that sticks and actually shows up in your playing. That's the goal of the Back to Basics series.

In Back to Basics: Scales, Ariel Posen guides you through a streamlined set of one-octave scale workouts that help you internalize major, minor, and pentatonic shapes. By focusing on the G position, you'll build a system you can easily move to any key and apply anywhere on the fretboard.

You'll play every workout along with Ariel over a drum groove, giving each exercise a natural, musical feel from the very first repetition. Once you've built confidence with the shapes and transitions, you'll take them into melodic exploration and finish the course by jamming through progressions that connect everything you've practiced.

“Whether you're just starting to get serious about your scales, or you've been playing for years and want to finally fill in the gaps, this course gives you the structure to make real progress and the confidence to actually use your scales the right way,” says Ariel.

You'll explore:

One-octave major scales from each string
Major pentatonic patterns that unlock simple melodic phrasing
One-octave minor scales across the neck
Minor pentatonic shapes for expressive lines and improvisation
“Boss” workouts to combine shapes, strengthen timing, and build fluency
Melodic exploration sessions to translate scales into real music
Jam-based practice to connect your scales with chord progressions
You'll get all the backing tracks to immediately apply what you learn, plus TrueFire's learning tools - looping, slow-mo, synced tab, and fretboard animations - so you can break everything down with clarity and intention.

So grab your guitar and let's get back to the basics with Ariel Posen!