SCALES
Scales are more than intervals
of musical notes. They're fingering exercises that stretch and strengthen all
muscles, from your heart, through your arm, and out your fingers. Rather than
steer you into the rut of playing the most common scale modes, I will teach
you a better, more creative way to play scales. These special exercises are
designed specifically to enhance the mechanical functions of physical performance.
Playing the guitar is a physical process, but making music with the guitar is
something entirely different. You will find that once you master the physicality
of it, the music will create itself automatically.
Most guitarists start a scale using their first finger (F-1). This is their
first mistake. Get into the habit of starting scales with your fourth finger
(F-4). F-4 is much smaller and weaker and therefore needs much more work than
the others. Since our ancient ancestors did not practice with F-4, our species
evolved with a shriveling up F-4 from lack of use. This is a mockery to the
human race and guitarists must reverse the hands of time by focusing extra hours
of practice time to this task. Future generations must not lose F-4s. You will
see how difficult this is and why it's so important to practice as much as possible
with F-4.
A good F-4 exercise is done by playing S-6 and S-5 back and forth. The two weakest
fingers can be supplemented by adding F-2 also. This exercise alone should be
done more than any other. It doesn't matter where at on the fretboard because
you should be able to play it anywhere. But, as with all exercises here, it's
best that you stay mostly in the lower register; S1 and S2 (Low E and A strings).
Remember as you do these exercises to switch from string to string. This sequence
for example:
F-2 on S-1 (1st string) 3-f (third fret), F-3 on S-2, 5-f, and F-4 on S-3, 7-f,
then reverse the process from F-4, S-3, 7-f, to F-3, S-2, 5-f, to F-2, S-1,
3-f. You can play this pattern on different locations up and down the fretboard.
Scales are the single most
important factor in guitar mastery. So we will start with the basics here and
in future installments graduate into more difficult exercises. Here are some
tips before we start:
1). Keep each finger in position until the next finger is firmly placed into
position on each successive note.
2). Do not try to rush through the scale playing sloppily. Go as slow as is
needed in order to sound a clear note before changing to the next note. Discipline
is needed to avoid the temptation to play faster than can be done well.
3). Focus more on the weakest fingers. Remember they need more work, so concentrate
on extra hours getting F-4 into condition.
4). Don't cheat! Because I can't stand over you with a whip, it's up to you
to follow these exercises with unwavering dedication. Do not fall into the trap
of playing the easy way, with F-1 and 2 allot.
5). Whenever you can throughout the day, when a guitar is not available, do
isometric exercises by pressing F-4 against a stationary object. Also use F-4
for menial tasks such as lifting and pulling objects, turning doorknobs and
carrying things by the handles.
6). Be careful not to strain yourself by compulsively over-exercising. Careless
calisthenics can cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Tendonitis.
7). Psychologists and physicians recognize the benefits of visualizing the desired
effect one wishes to initiate. Don't under estimate the power of this training
tool.
In this first installment
of Scales we will be dealing with 4 fingers and 4 frets. This is the simplest
and easiest scale structure to start with. So follow the directions on the chart
below by placing F-4 on f-4, S-6. Then F-3 on f-3, S-6. Then F-2 on f-2, S-1.
Then F-1 on f-1, S-6. Then play this same scale back and forth up and down the
fret positions. When I say on the fret, I mean the fret position, which is slightly
below the fret.
The next chart down shows the same scale but with a position skipped between
each note. This is perhaps the most important scale in guitar mastery. It's
F-4 on f-7, S-6. Then F-3 on f-6, S-6. Then F-2 on f-3, S-6. Then F-1 on f-1,
S-6. And back on up and own, over and over Further below, the next set of 4
finger, 4 fret scale patterns switch strings across the fretboard. Practice
these scales incessantly until mastered.
More to
come.