Avoiding triplets in fast runs

[Factor]

The way the notes of a scale lie on a guitar in standard tuning makes it too easy to play a scale run in triplets, especially if I try to apply legato with hammerons and such.

How can I break out of this habit?

Is careful and focused training of 8'ths or 16'ths to a metronome the way to go?

I've found that breaking the major scale up into two notes per string helps me avoid that rhythmic limp, but that slows me down because of the excessive horizontal movement of the hand.

Appreciate any and all comments.

[EricV]

Well, certainly working with the metronome, focussing on 8th and 16th helps a lot.
You can play 16th note-runs with 3NPS patterns as well, it just takes some work to get used to that.
Also, you could try to add a 4th note on each string- to avoid huge stretches, you could use slides and position shifts.
Check out the attached Powertab-file ( I also added a pdf version in case you have a Mac ), which I have posted here before.
Falling into the "triplet / sixtuplet cliché trap" unfortunately is rather common for people who use 3NPS scales ( ask me how I know ). Brett Garsed helped me to get other that, by incorporating either another diatonic note, or a chromatic one, depending on what kind of sound you want
Hope this helps
Eric

[Factor]

Thanks for a quick response!

I'll print it out and I'm already eager to try it out when I get home.

[Arpetude]

good pt eric, i like the PG one at the end best - amazing way to get out of that 3,6 and back into the 4,8

to contribute,

a bach piece i am learning has this bit in it that has 3NPS on 2 strings then 2 on 1.

3x2,2x1!

its a small idea but the variations are endless. play this idea all over the neck in different keys etc. that is the FIRST THING i did when i learned that idea. it was so much fun and sounds great to

[Bizarro]

EricV is right on the money. Practice 16th notes with your 3NPS patterns w/ a metronome forever!

Back in my extreme shred days (80s/90s) my guitar teacher (Jay Roberts, jazz virtuoso) had me play & practice steady 16th note runs at 160 bpm, using every sequence I could come up with. It wasn't boring straight up and down the scale stuff. It was very educational for many reasons: technical challenge, phrasing insights & challenges due to fingering/patterns, learning the fretboard very well, etc.

I can't pick that fast anymore, but I'll do similar things at slower tempos when I'm learning how to improvise over a difficult chord progression. A side effect is that I can usually play any note sequence in 8/16th notes because that has been hard-wired into my brain! :)

[debaser]

Good comments from everyone.

I used to run into this problem quite a bit. The solution, for me, was primarily an ear issue. If you know what a pattern is going to sound like in different rhythmic subdivisions, it's easier to manipulate that regardless of how it falls on the neck.

[Bande]

Well, just as Eric said falling into this "triplet" kinda rut is pretty "popular":D .

I think I can call myself lucky because I managed to not get out but even not fall in this rut. So I think this could be a good advice for beginners either:

I didn't start learning patterns with 3NPS stuff, but with the standard patterns. You know in all of them there is at least one string that has only 2 notes not 3.

And of course, I built up speed gradually with a metronome in 8th notes. So now i can do both 4th, 8th, 16th easily even in 3NPS, and triplets sixtuplets also. Triplets and sixtuplets I didn't practice but they're easy to do in 3NPS by the pattern's nature. That's why so many people fall into the triplet rut