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 fourth intervals which was a natural progression from another previous lesson on third intervals. Can you imagine what this guitar lesson will cover? Yes that is correct - we will look at fifth intervals!

Once again we will use the G Major scale as the basis for the guitar lesson. To form fifth intervals, we start at a given note in the scale, skip the next 3 notes, and play the fourth note from our starting point. See the table below:

Notice that there is one oddball above - the tritone, which we saw when working out the fourth intervals as well.

As you take a look at the tab, you will notice is that there are not a lot of notes played on the same string consecutively, as was the case with the fouth intervals. Furthermore, there are some cases where you are skipping over a string. This complete lack of consecutive notes on thwe same string will do absolute wonders for your pick coordination! Just give it some time and you'll see what I mean - you really have to persevere with these sorts of exercises before you start to develop that fretboard-finger memory as I like to call it.

Later,

Brian