Making Scales Interesting

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andymcc

Posts: 7
Joined: Dec. 30 2005

Making Scales Interesting

I'm trying to learn scales around the middles of the neck can anyone give me some ideas of how to make practicing scales more interesting or anything that may be useful or has been useful to you.
Thanks
Andy

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 26 2006 23:11:17

Jon Boyes

Posts: 1377
Joined: Jul. 10 2003

RE: Making Scales Interesting (in reply to andymcc)

Imo and all that....

Firstly forget about just learning scales 'in the middle of the neck'. Unless you are a blues player who only wants to play in A, this doesn't really work

I used to struggle with scales particularly as, like many rock players, the first one I learned was the blues/pentatonic, ands its not very helpful to build on. Then when I studied classical guitar I had to learn all these daft scale shapes/fragments for my grade exam that just didn't help me at all. They didn't seem related to each other and it was like memorising a phonebook -pointless and dull.

The most useful thing for me re.scales was learning the three note per string major scale shapes across the neck. Its just seven shapes - learn those and a little theory and you have access to all the modes and a great fretboard map. Make sure you memorise one before you try the next. Once you have the modes down you can add more exotic scales later, but the major scale/modes/ 3 note per string thing is pretty fundamental.

To make scale practice interesting, the best thing is to improvise over a backing. If this sounds scary, it needn't be. For example, learn your three note per string A major scale in fifth position, then practice playing it over a recording of an Alegrias in that key (or better still, record the chords yourself.) Start off by just playing up and down the scale, then try and pick out little tunes and melodies from that scale. That will teach your ears and fingers a lot.

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Spanish Guitarist in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 27 2006 11:59:39

edgar884

Posts: 1975
Joined: Nov. 16 2005

RE: Making Scales Interesting (in reply to andymcc)

First you have to learn the modes, start with the major(ionian) and learn the rest later.

I think it helps to practice the scale up and down with a metranome. I agree with Jon learn 3 note scales. As far as making them interesting you kinda have to be creative with that.

Heres some good ones

http://www.gabrieledgar.com/classroom.html

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May we find God through Flamenco instead of Angels and Demons

www.gabrieledgar.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 27 2006 14:30:06

andymcc

Posts: 7
Joined: Dec. 30 2005

RE: Making Scales Interesting (in reply to andymcc)

Thanks guys for the replies, both of you gave me some great ideas hopefully now I'll make some progress with my scales practice :)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 28 2006 13:11:03

larone

Posts: 242
Joined: Nov. 19 2004

RE: Making Scales Interesting (in reply to andymcc)

Practice scale in Runs & Intervals!!!!! Runs:- Play 3 notes up the scale then start on the 2nd note and play 3 from there, then start on the 3rd note and play 3 notes etc then go back down the scale doing the same thing. Intervals:- Play the 1st and last note of the Runs exercise (eg Key of Gmajor- GB,AC,BD,CE,DF,EG ETC). So this is Runs and intervals in 3rds. when you're comfortable with that, move onto 4ths then 5ths etc.
Hope this makes sense.

Larone

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 11 2006 0:23:24

Cloth Ears

Posts: 152
Joined: Apr. 26 2005

RE: Making Scales Interesting (in reply to andymcc)

I learned the basic scales/modes in just the same way as Jon many moons ago...

I like larone's advice too, I learned runs and intervals on the Bb clarinet whaen I was a kid and it was great for helping me express myself improvisionally.

One really useful tip in improving your speed and pace is to suss out if you can use any open notes. At such a moment, you will have just enough time to move your LH to another position.

Buena suerte!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 11 2006 17:42:30