I find that scale sequences are one of the best ways to add or release tension in a solo. Sometimes a solo just calls out to end on a low note. In that case, descending scale patterns are a great way to get there. Other times, you want to lead up to a searing high note. An ascending scale sequence can do the job nicely there.

Hopefully these exercises will get you interested in scale patterns. These are just a few common examples. If you search hard enough, you will find tons of other out there. Or you can come up with your own!

My guitar lessons as of late have not exactly been digestable in one sitting. So I decided to tone things down a bit and go over a simple concept which can be used as a building block for further ideas. If you are not comfortable with scales, then this guitar lesson might be a little premature. If you are even slightly versed in scales, then this is the perfect guitar lesson for you!

You have probably heard of scale sequences or scale patters. Essentially, they are just various ways to play a scale as opposed to simply playing it up and down. In this guitar lesson, we consider the G Major scale and we will sequence it using what are called third intervals. Simply stated, to form a third interval, you play a given note and then skip one note and then play the next note of the scale. Depending on where you are in the scale, you will either play a so called minor third or a major third. A minor third is a spacing of 1 and a half steps and a major third is a spacing of 2 whole steps.

The table above shows how these intervals come about in the key of G Major.

In the tab above, note that we are simply building a major or minor third interval as we make our way through the scale. And when we descend, it is the same concept but in reverse.

Once you become comfortable with this idea of intervals, you can apply it to any scale. Also, you can create similar scale patterns using other intervals, sich as fourths, fifths, etc. After a while you will probably find that the use of intervals makes its way into your own personal style and phrasing.

Good luck.

Brian Huether