Are there any standard melodic and harmonic minor fingerings for guitar

[Frank Prince]

similiar to the CAGED system?

I have messed around trying to find a few, but have not yet hit on a system where I'm finding any consistency.

The CAGED system helped a lot for learning the diatonic major modes in position, and then linking them together all over the neck. I was hoping for something similar for melodic and harmonic minor.

 

[Super Locrian]

Most "standard" fingerings for guitar try to keep the hand in one position, playing 3 or 2 notes per string. Play a C major scale in any position. Lower the E to Eb: Melodic minor. Then lower the A to Ab: Harmonic minor.

Using 2/3-notes per string fingerings can make it hard to visualize the scale across the neck. Be sure to practise 4-note per string fingerings as well, as these will force you to find scale tones on the whole neck.

 

[Frank Prince]

So, I can just adjust the CAGED method by 2 notes? Brilliant!

I like to have at least one solid fingering for a scale down before I start drilling the modes.

I like to get the sound of each scale or mode down and then apply fingerings to it, instead of vice versa. I have never been one of those guys who says "OK, for Dorian, I will just play in C Ionian". The chord tones never line up right for me, and it never sounds melodic.

For Dorian, I like to have drilled Dorian.

 

[garyh]

The Berklee Series books by William Leavitt (I think #2 especially) have 12 positions mapped across the guitar for major chords and also does harmonic and melodic minor , diminished and wholetone, I believe. It's been quite a while for me but they are there, I'm sure.

 

[Frank Prince]

The Berklee Series books by William Leavitt (I think #2 especially) have 12 positions mapped across the guitar for major chords and also does harmonic and melodic minor , diminished and wholetone, I believe. It's been quite a while for me but they are there, I'm sure.

Cool, thanks, I'll check those out.