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!

In a previous lesson, we went over a scale pattern that used third intervals. So what is the next natural step? You guessed it - fourth intervals!

Once again we will use the G Major scale as the basis for the guitar lesson. To form fourth intervals, we start at a given note in the scale, skip the next 2 notes, and play the third note from our starting point. See the table below:

Notice that there is one oddball above - the tritone. The tritone is a dissonant sounding interval that plays a large role in music theory (which we won't get into...).

As you take a look at the tab, the first thing you will probably notice is that there are not a lot of notes played on the same string consecutively. This will do wonders for your pick coordination!

Later,

Brian