Whether you love playing scales or despise them the truth is that every aspiring lead guitar player needs to know them. It is not enough to just make a guitar scale lesson out of playing them straight out of a book. To truly understand scales and get an idea of how they can work in your lead playing you need to dissect the components and think outside the box. This article is no ordinary guitar scale lesson. Below are three easy things you can do to expand your knowledge of any scale.
Guitar Scales Lesson Part 1
Sing the scale- Singing a scale as you play it will do two things for you. One you are playing it so you are working on your muscle memory, and two by singing it you are helping develop your ear to recognize the sound of that particular scale. Just think how easy it will be to improvise when you can hear it in your head and instantly now that you can play the scale that is going to give you the same sound. truly a remarkable feet for any guitar player.
Guitar Scales Lesson Part 2
Use sequence patterns- A sequence pattern is a way of grouping notes in a scale together so that they have a distinct sequential sound when played. A popular sequence pattern is to play the notes of a scale in groups of four. For example starting on the root note play the first four notes in the scale. Then do the same thing but this time start on the second note of the scale. Repeat the sequence up the scale each time starting it on the next scale tone. You can do the same thing back down the scale. Now that you know what a sequence pattern is make up different guitar scale lessons use your own creative sequence patterns.
Guitar Scales Lesson Part 3
Play it on one string- Instead of just playing scales in the standard box positions most books and teachers show you try playing the scale up and down each and every string. This will not only speed up your understanding of the way the scale works but it will help you open up other ways of linking it to your favorite licks up and down the neck.
Use the tips in this guitar scale lesson and watch your lead playing take a whole new direction. You'll be able to quickly identify the scale you want to play, have a whole new arsenal of sequential licks at your finger tips and a strong foundation for how to connect then all up and down the neck. Don't let playing guitar scales be just another boring meaningless part of your practice time.
