Get started with box 1

This excellent video by GCH Guitar Academy explains how to get started with box-1 of the C Major scale pattern and how to use it in improvisation. We are not affiliated with the creator, but if you like this video, please visit them, like and subscribe and all that :)

One pattern to rule them all (part 1)

First what is a diatonic scale? It is simply any seven note scale that uses 5 whole steps (whole tones) and two half steps (semi-tones) in the octave. So in this C Major scale

C -whole- D -whole- E -half- F -whole- G -whole- A -whole- B -half- C
there are also these 5 whole-steps and 2 semi-staps.

Note that the distance between the first note (the root) and the third note is 2 whole steps. this distance (or interval) is called a major third. Therefor this scale is called C major.

5 boxes

The most common way to start memorizing the whole neck is by dividing the pattern in to a few bite-sized chunks. This lesson has divided the C Major scale pattern in to 5 boxes.
You can take all the time that you need to memorize them. So start with the first one and after a week or so, you can move on to the second. Thake it easy and set your own pace, whatever is comfortable for you!