Guitar scales move along the fretboard by following a specific pattern of notes. These patterns are usually based on a specific key or mode, and they can be played in different positions on the fretboard.

One of the most common scales used in guitar playing is the major scale. The major scale has a specific pattern of whole and half steps, which is W-W-H-W-W-W-H (W stands for whole step and H stands for half step). This pattern can be applied starting on any note, and it will always produce the major scale of that note.

To play a major scale on the guitar, you would typically start on the lowest note of the scale and play the notes in sequence, moving up the fretboard one note at a time. As you move up the fretboard, you will need to adjust the fingering of the scale to accommodate the new positions of the notes.

For example, if you were playing a C major scale, you would start on the third fret of the A string, which is the note C. You would then play the following sequence of notes:

C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C

As you move up the fretboard, you will need to adjust the fingering of the scale to accommodate the new positions of the notes. For example, when you reach the 12th fret, you will need to shift your hand position to continue playing the scale.

Different scales will have different patterns, but the basic principle remains the same: the notes are played in sequence along the fretboard, following a specific pattern of whole and half steps. With practice, guitarists can learn to play these scales in different positions on the fretboard, which allows them to play melodies and solos across a wider range of the guitar.

The pattern for each scale is no different from the previous. You can see here that the overall pattern of notes moves along the fret board from left to right as you move from C to D to E etc. It may be better presented here without the note names to distract you from the pattern: Fret board minor pentatonic scales. It does not matter that you are viewing the major pentatonic and this link is to the minor pentatonic. The process of all scales is the same. They all can be moved along the fret depending on the root note you are playing. Learn your fret board (certainly the E and A strings) and you will find it much easier to learn chords, specifically but not limited to CAGED and also the start to many of these positions.

The major pentatonic scale is another five-note scale that is widely used in many styles of music, including country, rock, and pop. On guitar, it is also one of the most commonly used scales, and is often used to create melodic and harmonic lines.

The scale is called "major" because it has a major third interval (four half-steps) between the first and third notes. The five notes of the major pentatonic scale are the root note (the starting note), the major second, the major third, the fifth, and the major sixth. The formula for the scale is: 1-2-3-5-6.

In terms of guitar playing, the scale can be played in several different positions on the fretboard, which allows for different phrasings and patterns. One of the most common positions for the major pentatonic scale is the "box" pattern, which is played in the second position (starting on the second fret).

The major pentatonic scale is often used to create melodic lines and solos, and can be used in combination with other scales and modes to create more complex harmonies and chord progressions. Because of its versatility and simplicity, it is an essential scale for any guitar player to know and master, especially for those who play country, rock, or pop music.