Scales Scales Scales (Part 1)
(09 Feb 04)
More one string-exercises
Those exercises should take you quite a while, depending on the speed you play those scales at. Also, it's up to you whether you only wanna play them ascending or descending, too. (Why not?!?)
If you feel comfortable with those exercises, take 'em up a notch, by playing them ascending and / or descending in sequences. Check out this example, based on the G major scale:
Workout Exercise 4 (Level 2):
Apply sequences
Workout Exercise 5 (Level 2):
Do the above exercises on all 6 strings
As you can see, there are many different things you can do on one string only. Some of you might go "Man, that takes hours, why do that many exercises?"
Well, as I said before, it's up to you how much you wanna go this route. And you don't have to do all those exercises every day. Maybe throw 'em in every other day or so. After a while it will get quite easy to "see" those scales along the string. That's the goal. Also, playing them that much will help you to memorize their sound etc.
And regarding the musical side... as mentioned before, a lot of great players play licks, runs and melodies along a string and get great sounds that way. And to be able to do that while improvising regardless of what key your in, to me, is something that's worth the effort.
Adding Another String
OK, let's see... there are two different things you can do now to take the next step... either try to work on six-string patterns, or add only one string.
This works both ways: If you have memorized some patterns, it shouldn't be too difficult to play through them (along the neck) on two strings.
If you "build" the patterns yourself without learning them from a diagram or book (by learning the scale on one string as explained above, then adding more strings), you'll be able to play along those scales on two strings as well.
You COULD consider approach no.1 rather "mechanical", but it's faster (there's nothing wrong with thinking in patterns if you always remember to play MUSIC instead of playing up and down through these patterns). And you COULD consider approach no.1 the "musical one", although it takes more time.
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