--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My father would say, 'Play a scale,' and…" description: "\"My father would say, 'Play a scale,' and I'd play one and he'd say, 'What about the rest? There must be one above,' so we'd figure them out. I'd start ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/281/joe-pass-39888_chords_my-father-would-say-play-a-scale-and-i-d_203936.jpg" --- # My father would say, 'Play a scale,' and I'd play one and… ![“My father would say, 'Play a scale,' and I'd play one and he'd say, 'What about the rest? There must be one above,' so we'd figure them out. I'd start the scale on the root of the chord and I'd go as far as my hand would reach without going out of position, say, five frets, and then I'd go all the…” quote by Joe Pass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/281/joe-pass-39888_chords_my-father-would-say-play-a-scale-and-i-d_203936.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/281/joe-pass-39888_chords_my-father-would-say-play-a-scale-and-i-d_203936.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/281/joe-pass-39888_chords_my-father-would-say-play-a-scale-and-i-d_203936.jpg) > “My father would say, 'Play a scale,' and I'd play one and he'd say, 'What about the rest? There must be one above,' so we'd figure them out. I'd start the scale on the root of the chord and I'd go as far as my hand would reach without going out of position, say, five frets, and then I'd go all the way back. So when ! practised I'd start right away on scales. As well as the usual ones, I'd play whole tone scales, diminished, dominant sevenths, and chromatic scales. Every chord form, all the way up, and this took an hour.” [Joe Pass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-pass/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Practice scales comprehensively, exploring all positions and variations to master fretboard navigation. **In simple terms:** Practice all scale types fully across the neck. Key Takeaway Explore scales in every position. Themes practice mastery musicianship Mood focused determined Type instructional technical When to use this quote - learning new songs - improvisation - teaching - daily warm‑up Key Concepts fretboard theory scale patterns musical discipline Questions to Reflect On - How does thorough scale practice affect improvisation? - What balance between technical drills and creative playing? A Different Perspective Time‑intensive; may neglect musicality if not balanced with ear training. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [Guitar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guitar/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Roots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roots/) [Tone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tone/) ## Related quotes > [I practice all the scales. Everyone should know lots of scales. Actually, I feel there are only scales. What is a chord, if not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/i-practice-all-the-scales-everyone-should-know-lots-of-scales/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [The ultimate guitar players can play every scale in the book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-dale/the-ultimate-guitar-players-can-play-every-scale-in-the-book/) [Dick Dale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-dale/) > [I stuck with that size because I could bend the strings so well, and somewhere along the line I must have gotten it into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fogerty/i-stuck-with-that-size-because-i-could-bend-the-strings-so-well-and/) [John Fogerty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fogerty/) > [It's a double-headed coin, because technology is a convenience but it's stifled our attention spans. At one time, albums had songs that were like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cee-lo-green/it-s-a-double-headed-coin-because-technology-is-a-convenience-but-it/) [Cee Lo Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cee-lo-green/) > [I always think of each night as a song. Or each moment as a song. But now I'm seeing we don't live in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/i-always-think-of-each-night-as-a-song-or-each-moment-as-a-song-but/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [I don't write poetry and then strum some chords and then fit the words on top of the chords.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/i-don-t-write-poetry-and-then-strum-some-chords-and-then-fit-the/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [My course is about really working on a sheet of music. You work out the chords, which note complements the other, and how they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catriona-gray/my-course-is-about-really-working-on-a-sheet-of-music-you-work-out/) [Catriona Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catriona-gray/) > [I learned to play by ear before I learned music theory. For me, that makes sense. After all, children learn to speak before they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jools-holland/i-learned-to-play-by-ear-before-i-learned-music-theory-for-me-that/) [Jools Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jools-holland/) > [“Wild Horses" started in a B-minor chord, and Stu didn't play minor chords, "fucking Chinese music.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/wild-horses-started-in-a-b-minor-chord-and-stu-didn-t-play-minor/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [Pete Townsend for me was a huge influence. Because essentially they were a three-piece band and the way he structured his chords and took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-lifeson/pete-townsend-for-me-was-a-huge-influence-because-essentially-they/) [Alex Lifeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-lifeson/) > [There's four chords in every song. That's the fun part - trying to make that your own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-rodrigo/there-s-four-chords-in-every-song-that-s-the-fun-part-trying-to-make/) [Olivia Rodrigo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-rodrigo/) > [Talk health. The dreary, never-changing tale Of mortal maladies is worn and stale. You cannot charm, or interest, or please By harping in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-wheeler-wilcox/talk-health-the-dreary-never-changing-tale-of-mortal-maladies-is-worn/) [Ella Wheeler Wilcox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-wheeler-wilcox/) > [So I concentrated on the rhythmic side of things, and therefore left a lot of holes. I didn't want to use big pad chords…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/midge-ure/so-i-concentrated-on-the-rhythmic-side-of-things-and-therefore-left-a/) [Midge Ure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/midge-ure/) > [Every time I finish a song... most of the time it's in my own head, like this sounds too much like a Townes Van…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/every-time-i-finish-a-song-most-of-the-time-it-s-in-my-own-head-like/) [Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/) > [The term "black metal" has become a lot looser, or can include a larger range of sounds and extra-musical aesthetics, not just Satan and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-marston/the-term-black-metal-has-become-a-lot-looser-or-can-include-a-larger/) [Colin Marston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-marston/) ## More by Joe Pass > [Listen, listen, listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pass/listen-listen-listen/) [Joe Pass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-pass/) > [You can't think and play. If you think about what you're playing the playing becomes stilted. You have to just focus on the music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pass/you-can-t-think-and-play-if-you-think-about-what-you-re-playing-the/) [Joe Pass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-pass/) > [If you hit a wrong note, then make it right by what you play afterward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pass/if-you-hit-a-wrong-note-then-make-it-right-by-what-you-play-afterward/) [Joe Pass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-pass/) > [I grew up playing the guitar. I started when I was nine, and by the time I was nine and a half or ten,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pass/i-grew-up-playing-the-guitar-i-started-when-i-was-nine-and-by-the/) [Joe Pass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-pass/) > [Learn everything you know in all keys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pass/learn-everything-you-know-in-all-keys/) [Joe Pass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-pass/) > [I'm a little tired. I haven't been out for more than five or six weeks in the States, and that's really a lot for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pass/i-m-a-little-tired-i-haven-t-been-out-for-more-than-five-or-six-weeks/) [Joe Pass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-pass/) > [Guitarists should be able to pick up the guitar and play music on it for an hour, without a rhythm section or anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pass/guitarists-should-be-able-to-pick-up-the-guitar-and-play-music-on-it/) [Joe Pass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-pass/) > [Using drugs didn't help me to play, all it did was to hang me up for about fifteen years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pass/using-drugs-didn-t-help-me-to-play-all-it-did-was-to-hang-me-up-for/) [Joe Pass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-pass/) > [I don't remember that I copied any guitar player note-for-note. But I remember copying Charlie Parker note for note.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pass/i-don-t-remember-that-i-copied-any-guitar-player-note-for-note-but-i/) [Joe Pass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-pass/) > [If you hit a wrong note, then make it right by what you play afterwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pass/if-you-hit-a-wrong-note-then-make-it-right-by-what-you-play-afterwards/) [Joe Pass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-pass/) [Explore all 11 Joe Pass quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-pass/) ## More Chords quotes > [The term "black metal" has become a lot looser, or can include a larger range of sounds and extra-musical aesthetics, not just Satan and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-marston/the-term-black-metal-has-become-a-lot-looser-or-can-include-a-larger/) [Colin Marston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-marston/) > [Every time I finish a song... most of the time it's in my own head, like this sounds too much like a Townes Van…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/every-time-i-finish-a-song-most-of-the-time-it-s-in-my-own-head-like/) [Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/) > [So I concentrated on the rhythmic side of things, and therefore left a lot of holes. I didn't want to use big pad chords…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/midge-ure/so-i-concentrated-on-the-rhythmic-side-of-things-and-therefore-left-a/) [Midge Ure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/midge-ure/) > [Talk health. The dreary, never-changing tale Of mortal maladies is worn and stale. You cannot charm, or interest, or please By harping in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-wheeler-wilcox/talk-health-the-dreary-never-changing-tale-of-mortal-maladies-is-worn/) [Ella Wheeler Wilcox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-wheeler-wilcox/) > [There's four chords in every song. That's the fun part - trying to make that your own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-rodrigo/there-s-four-chords-in-every-song-that-s-the-fun-part-trying-to-make/) [Olivia Rodrigo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-rodrigo/) > [Pete Townsend for me was a huge influence. Because essentially they were a three-piece band and the way he structured his chords and took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-lifeson/pete-townsend-for-me-was-a-huge-influence-because-essentially-they/) [Alex Lifeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-lifeson/) > [“Wild Horses" started in a B-minor chord, and Stu didn't play minor chords, "fucking Chinese music.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/wild-horses-started-in-a-b-minor-chord-and-stu-didn-t-play-minor/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [I learned to play by ear before I learned music theory. For me, that makes sense. After all, children learn to speak before they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jools-holland/i-learned-to-play-by-ear-before-i-learned-music-theory-for-me-that/) [Jools Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jools-holland/) > [My course is about really working on a sheet of music. You work out the chords, which note complements the other, and how they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catriona-gray/my-course-is-about-really-working-on-a-sheet-of-music-you-work-out/) [Catriona Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catriona-gray/) > [I don't write poetry and then strum some chords and then fit the words on top of the chords.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/i-don-t-write-poetry-and-then-strum-some-chords-and-then-fit-the/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [I always think of each night as a song. Or each moment as a song. But now I'm seeing we don't live in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/i-always-think-of-each-night-as-a-song-or-each-moment-as-a-song-but/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [It's a double-headed coin, because technology is a convenience but it's stifled our attention spans. At one time, albums had songs that were like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cee-lo-green/it-s-a-double-headed-coin-because-technology-is-a-convenience-but-it/) [Cee Lo Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cee-lo-green/) > [I don't want to discredit people's opinions of me, but you talk about the violin or the cello or lead guitar where you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-raitt/i-don-t-want-to-discredit-people-s-opinions-of-me-but-you-talk-about/) [Bonnie Raitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-raitt/) > [There are no rules or certain methods. I usually start with the guitar or piano and sing melodies over the chords. The lyrics seem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-reeves/there-are-no-rules-or-certain-methods-i-usually-start-with-the-guitar/) [Jason Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-reeves/) > [I like really sparse electronics, lush arrangements, and interesting chord structures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-klinghoffer/i-like-really-sparse-electronics-lush-arrangements-and-interesting/) [Josh Klinghoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-klinghoffer/) Browse all 544 Chords quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My father would say, 'Play a scale,' and I'd play one and he'd say, 'What about the rest? There must be one above,' so we'd figure them out. I'd start the scale on the root of the chord and I'd go as far as my hand would reach without going out of position, say, five frets, and then I'd go all the way back. So when ! practised I'd start right away on scales. As well as the usual ones, I'd play whole tone scales, diminished, dominant sevenths, and chromatic scales. 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