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Lesson Subject:
Surf Legends |
What you learn:
Single-String Scales & Runs |
Teacher: Michael Johnson |
Michael: Learning how to play lead guitar can be
broken down into several areas of study (scales, runs, melodies, licks, ear
training, exercises, etc.). The key is training your hands to develop "muscle
memory," this can be achieved by practicing scales over and over, but can become
monotonous over time. The key is to break up these scale patterns and try as many
variations and sequences as possible. This has an amazing benefit to developing
your speed and playing licks without spending to much of your focus on trying to
find positions on the neck. Your focus should be on playing and hearing musical
lines. The following exercises will help you develop these skills:
Michael:
The following exercises will focus on using single string scales, in this case
we will use the E Minor Scale pattern on the 6th string
E:
Michael:
You can easily see the melodic patterns played on a single string. Try
experimenting using several exercises on the upcoming exercises, here are a few
ideas you can try:
1. Play the exercises ascending (going higher on
the neck) and descending (going lower on the
neck)
2. Try
playing the patterns with your eyes closed after you memorized the exercise and
positions.
3.
Try playing these patterns on the other single strings.
4. Try increasing your speed and keep your
hands stretched.
5. Try
down-picking, up picking and double-picking, build up your speed as you develop
these skills.
6. Try mixing
up these sequences and making up your own patterns and
combinations.
7. Practice while not focusing on your hand.
Example;
practice while watching TV, listening to the stereo, etc. This helps you to
focus on listening to what you're playing and developing your hand muscle
memory
Michael: This
first sequence jumps every other note as it ascends the E Minor scale pattern,
Let's get started:
Michael:
This next sequence climbs 3-notes at a
time:
Michael:
Make sure you keep your fingers stretched out, your hand might get tired over
time, take a break and practice some more. This next sequence is basically the
same as the last pattern, but this time you descend the last 2-notes or each
phrase:
Michael:
This time you climb 4-notes and descend 2-notes:
Michael:
Here's another sequence that plays every other note as the main pattern climbs,
the only difference is you include the open string note (E) in each of the group
of notes:
Michael:
This sequence is basically the same as the last, but this time you jump more
notes in each group:
Michael:
This sequence starts on the higher notes and jumps positions, this patterns
actually sounds classical and a method used by composers:
Michael:
Remember to try these recommendations on these
sequences:
1. Play the exercises ascending (going higher on
the neck) and descending (going lower on the
neck)
2. Try
playing the patterns with your eyes closed after you memorized the exercise and
positions.
3.
Try playing these patterns on the other single strings.
4. Try increasing your speed and keep your
hands stretched.
5. Try
down-picking, up picking and double-picking, build up your speed as you develop
these skills.
6. Try mixing
up these sequences and making up your own patterns and
combinations.
7. Practice while not focusing on your hand.
Example;
practice while watching TV, listening to the stereo, etc. This helps you to
focus on listening to what you're playing and developing your hand muscle
memory
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