The Guitar Player's Resource
Welcome back! In this lesson I will be showing you some creative ways to move around the fretboard at a blazing fast speed, like at the climax of a guitar solo or just creative ways to connect your scale shapes instead of just running scales.
For this lesson we will be just using a couple of different keys and scales, but these concepts work in any scale or key. Be sure to alternate pick these examples.
Example 1 is an ascending line in F major (F, G, A, Bb, C, D. E). It begins with the Phrygian shape off of the A note in F major, and it moves up the E and A strings for the first couple of bars. Each pattern is six notes at a time, and the six note shapes slide up and back on two strings in different intervals. The first shape slides up a 4th, then down a second and then up a minor third until it ascends up the F scale. This whole example is played with 16th notes, and you could also convert this into 16th note triplets for a different feel. Be sure to alternate pick this whole idea.
MP3 - Ascending Shred Lines - Example 1
A great way to move around the fretboard is using octaves. For example, playing the same notes up and octave or down an octave. Example 2 starts with the low F with the first six notes of the F scale, and then it is the same notes up an octave (off of the D string). The second bar begins on the E note off of the A string, and then the first six notes repeat up an octave from the G string. The last bar begins with the D note on the D string, and then the first six notes moving up an octave as in the other patterns. This is played with eighth note triplets, but it can be played with any rhythm. Try doing this all over the neck off of different notes as well.
MP3 - Ascending Shred Lines - Example 2
Example 3 is an ascending pattern in the E harmonic minor scale (E, F#, G, A, B, C, D#). The first bar is a four-note sequence that moves up and down within the scale. Then for the last bar, it climbs up the E harmonic minor scale until the high E, three notes per string. This line works great in a neoclassical situation, but it can work in any style of music. Again, don't forget to alternate pick this whole thing.
MP3 - Ascending Shred Lines - Example 3
That is it for now! As always, be sure to make up your own patterns and visit www.mikecampese.com for more information and the latest news!
Mike Campese is an all-around music performer, session artist and teacher competent in many musical styles, electric and acoustic. He has studied at G.I.T. (Honors Graduate), and with Paul Gilbert, Norman Brown, Stanley Jordan, Scott Henderson and Keith Wyatt.
