7 string question

[rrhea]

I just got a 7 string guitar recently, and I was playing around with some scales and noticed that the extra string up there can really change things! :D

I mean, I knew about the impact on chording, but until I got a 7 string I never really thought about how much it can change up and down scale patterns.

So, my question is:

I tune the 7th to B, keeping with the perfect fourth system (which I prefer).

Taking the major scale ionian pattern as an example... do I just dulpicate the same three note pattern on the low E (basing the scale root on the low E string) to the low B in order to "extend" the scale? Or should the pattern shift there? On my synth pad backing track, this sounds good to my ear, but I am not sure if I am truly playing the right notes on the B when doing it this way.

Secondly, I noticed that if I start on the low B and use that note as my root and play the major scale upwards, I run into the same problem on the high E. Do I duplicate the same three note pattern from the high B in this case, or should it be a different pattern?

Hopefully, my explanation isn't to hard to follow. I may not be putting this into words very well, but hopefully someone will understand what I mean. ;)

Thanks!

Ryan

[oRg]

Well, I'll just post how you'd play the G Major Scale on a 7-string (not taking into account modes or anything like).

e|-----------------------------------2-3-5-|
b|-------------------------------3-5-------|
G|-------------------------2-4-5-----------|
D|-------------------2-4-5-----------------|
A|-------------2-3-5-----------------------|
E|-------2-3-5-----------------------------|
B|-1-3-5-----------------------------------|
notice the notes here. Here's another way of playing it that way you can see the pattern better.
e|-----------------------------------2-3-5-|
b|-----------------------------1-3-5-------|
G|-------------------------2-4-------------|
D|-------------------2-4-5-----------------|
A|-------------2-3-5-----------------------|
E|-------2-3-5-----------------------------|
B|-1-3-5-----------------------------------|

If you take a look you'll see the patterns. Same patterns you would play on the high b, are the same as the ones on the low B.

Have fun.

[DemonSorcerer]

Well, I'll just post how you'd play the E Major Scale on a 7-string (not taking into account modes or anything like).

e|-----------------------------------2-3-5-|
b|-------------------------------3-5-------|
G|-------------------------2-4-5-----------|
D|-------------------2-4-5-----------------|
A|-------------2-3-5-----------------------|
E|-------2-3-5-----------------------------|
B|-1-3-5-----------------------------------|
notice the notes here. Here's another way of playing it that way you can see the pattern better.
e|-----------------------------------2-3-5-|
b|-----------------------------1-3-5-------|
G|-------------------------2-4-------------|
D|-------------------2-4-5-----------------|
A|-------------2-3-5-----------------------|
E|-------2-3-5-----------------------------|
B|-1-3-5-----------------------------------|

If you take a look you'll see the patterns. Same patterns you would play on the high b, are the same as the ones on the low B.

Have fun.

Sorry, Mr. Org...what you posted is a diagram of the G major scale starting on the low B string (not the E major Scale)... you go C-D-E, F#-G-A, B-C-D, E-F#-G, A-B-C, D-E, F#-G-A, from low B to high E...that's on the first diagram...G major or C Lydian is fine with the name for the scale fingering you posted...

And for you, Mr. Rreah, i'll post a movable pattern that uses all the 7 strings for a major scale...let's say we'll start on the D note, low B string (If you keep the intervals, you can play the same major scale pattern in any area of the fretboard)...so...from low B to high E, here's what "I" would play (i also own a 7 string)...(B string)3-5-7, (E string)3-5-7, (A string)4-5-7, (D string)4-5-7, (G string)4-6-7, (High B string)5-7-8, (High E string)5-7-9...

As you can see, i kept a 3nps pattern on all strings; you don't have to use the same pattern you used in the low B...it depends hon how you arranged the notes on the bottom strings before reaching the High B; Notice that I played in the low B: D-E-F#...and in the high E I played E-F#-G...have fun, and enjoy your 7 string guitar!!

David

[Arpetude]

he rrhea.

i still use my 7,i arranged the modes of the major scale starting from the C of the B string. i did it all in excel but i have lost the file. :(

but this would be a good thing for your learning development.

here is the method

play 3 notes on the B string they should be -> C,D,E,

then 3 on the E, they should be -> F,G,A

then 3 on the A, -> B,C,D.

etc.

so arrange the modes yourself!. that is what i did. check this out - 7 notes in a scale * 3NPS = 21 notes. beacuase you are using 7 strings you cover 3 octaves.

arranging all your scales yourself will really help you understand the fret board. this took me a couple of days, but it means that i could do it for harmonic minor, enigmatic(if i want), also did pentatonic for a 7. as long as you know the notes you can just re-arrange it yourself. no need for outside sources.

Just my advice

[Poparad]

Assuming you know how to play scales on a six string, here's a short cut to coming up with a fingering on a 7 string:

The 6th and 7th strings are tuned to E and B, which are the same notes the 1st and 2nd strings are tuned to. Just take the fingering from the 2nd string and copy it to the 7th (this works best for 3 note per string scales). The fingering for the first two strings should be identical to the fingering for the last two strings.

[rrhea]

Thanks so much for the info, guys! That really helped me a lot.

Anyone know of any books that explore the realm of the 7 string?

Ryan

[Arpetude]

yes, they are a couple of books on ebay. but i have looked at them before in real life. they are mostly very weak. as long as you know what notes are in a chord you can easily 'add' the low end B into it(but most of the time it is so low you can not hear it IMO). if you buy a 7-string chord book. they are not well written as 6-string ones IMO. same goes for scale books.


i recomend just using theory knowledge and your own ear to incorporate the 7th string into your playing.

although i am not into jazz, i know that 7 strings are quite popular for jazz so if you want to go down that route then by all means get a 7-string guitar method.

[oRg]

lol...I knew I forgot to change something. i was gonna do an example in E Major but for some reason I decided to tab out the scale in G instead of E and forgot to change what I had written earlier. But it's changed now.