Looking for tips on how change positions.

[hoven]

I have been playing guitar for about 2 1/2 years and often find myself picking a scale (ex Am at the 5th fret) and getting stuck in that position. When I decide try to change positions on the neck I quickly crash and burn.

I know the 5 CAGED patterns and can easily play them as long as I don't move horizontally up or down the neck.

Does anybody have any good techniques on how to change positions???????????

Thanks

[Bizarro]

It sounds like you need to start interconnecting the caged forms. For example, start with C major in open position play up the scale. When you hit the G on the high E string, immediately switch positions and play the A on the high E string with your index finger and continue with the B and C.

Once you hit the C, go back down and after the A, switch back to open position. Play this with a metronome and try make the transition perfect (so nobody listening would know).

Invent exercises of your own using this principle but applying it to different strings/scales.

Always practice with a metronome! Always apply this to actual music/jamming.

[Oceano]

Long time ago, I read that Satriani and Vai learn to play scales up and down the strings, one string at a time.

I satrted doing the same thing, and it started to free me from seeing block patterns on the fretboard. I like to be able to picture the scale as a "whole", instead of blocks, and this practice method does it .

Once you get confortable enough with it, you find yourself playing less scaler type runs and just sliding all over the fretboard with confidence.

Try it, it works.

[EricV]

Exactly ! Try to restrict yourself, make up rules like "I´m gonna improvise on the D- and G-string only !" etc.
Or try to combine stuff... start playing through a regular pattern, then continue on the B- and E-String only, and end up playing only on one of them...
Also, try to do this in all kinds of different keys. Start with major, minor and pentatonic scales, but try improvising in keys like Gmin, Ebmaj etc.
Although there are certain keys that work better for guitar ( i.e. when it comes to using open strings... E Major, G Major, C Major, D Major ), I think one should be able to improvise in all keys...

Eric

[hoven]

Seems like my biggest problem is with the fingerings. When I change positions I can see the scale pattern but my fingerings get all messed up.

Does anybody know where to find any major/minor scales that run 3 octives that include the fingerings? For example, starting with G on the low E string 3rd fret and ending with G on the high E string 15th fret.

Thanks in advance

[Dave]

Check out the book, "Joe Satriani Guitar Secrets." It has the 7 modes and some exotic scales shown with fingerings in three octaves along with tons of other stuff. The publisher's Cherry Lane Music and should be able to be found on eBay if no where else...

Dave