Oh! I guess that should have been obvious, thanks. I was thrown off by seeing Justin hold the pick between his middle and ring fingers while talking – but now that I look more carefully, he’s moving it around between fingers while he talks, a habit I remember him talking about in a really early lesson.
I have a hard time hitting the right bass string with the pick (it’s easier with my thumb), but that just means I have another skill to work on. 
I always have a tough time whenever the word “scales” comes into the picture. Have done the entire course so far, and I remember learning the C-major scale, and the A-minor pentatonic scale. Then suddenly some of your videos start referring to just “scales”, and I’m completely lost 
Hello everyone
I´ve started grade 3 a couple of weeks ago, and so far everything is going pretty well. I do need some advice though regarding linking chords with scales. This seems the most difficult thing I’ve encountered on my journey so far.
So, my fingers are by now really familiar with the c major scale (the position played on the first 3 frets) so that isn’t the major issue.
The thing is I’m not sure what really works as the possibilities seem really vast.
This one seems to work particularly well: C TO Am
C (x32010)
C
B
A (Open A string)
Am (x02210)
A
B
C
Repeat
What are some of your favorite ways to link chords by playing a couple of notes between them using the c major scale? What would be the essential ones to know for now?
I would really Appreciate different ideas and different approaches. I feel there is a lot of value in exploring by myself what works, but I am looking specifically for tested progressions.
Thank you
edit: ideas can include maj7, maj6, min 7, barre chords… I am quite ahead with my chord library compared to grade 3 starting point.
Have you seen this lesson on Linking Chords?
https://www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/how-to-link-guitar-chords-using-scales-bg-1504#discussion
I have, yes, thank you. i am just looking for different ideas.
hi @muso,
there is a long discussion thread on this lesson with lots of good info (some provided by yours truly ) here:
Slight correction there: the possibilities are endless.
The main rule is: if it sounds good, it is good. There is no “fixed” order or something like that.
When you have, for instance, the C major scale, you have
C, with all of its chords. Major, minor, 7th etc…
D, with all of its chords. Major, minor, 7th etc…
E, with all of its chords. Major, minor, 7th etc…
Etc, etc…untill you reach C again.
One chord will sound better than the other, in relation to the scale your playing.
And there’s the A minor scale too. The relative minor of the C major.
Again, with all of it’s own chords you can use.
This may seem overwhelming at first, but a good startingpoint would be this:
know your major scales really well.
Know your basic triads.
And from there on out, it’s “just” adding or subtracting.
For instance: C major = C E G, C minor = C Eb G, C major 7th = C E G B.
It all starts with the triads. Those are your basic building blocks.
Scales, if you look at it, are “just” lists of chords, with their qualities. (major, minor, diminished, etc…).
If you know a scale, you know the chord. C major, D minor, E minor, F major…etc…
Hopes this helps!