So far we’ve been working with the 7 short patterns in our previous guitar lessons on the B and high E string set only. Now, let’s see how all of this material relates to the other 7 sets, as well.

The guitar is made up of 5 sets of adjacent strings. They are the:

6,5 string set (Low E & A string)

5,4 string set (A & D string)

4,3 string set (D & G string)

3,2 string set (G & B string)

2,1 string set (B & high E string)

Keep in mind that these 7 short patterns always follow the same horizontal order, no matter what string set you are on. The problem is knowing what pattern to start on depending on the string set you are using and what key you are in.

How you guys will get to spend sometime on this lesson, this is where it all will start to fall into place for you… Until next time – Rick

This guitar lesson is designed to help you make some sense of the 1st two scale lessons. The question is “Ok, now I know 7 short scale patterns in the Key of C on two strings, now what?” Well, I’ve always found that the best way to learn something is to put it into context as soon as possible.

Here’s what to do. Application Song # 1 will help to get you started. It features a 16 bar melody in the Key of C using all 7 short scale patterns. During the 2nd half of the melody section, the majority of the notes are on a single string. After the melody is played through once, the chord progression repeats, this is where you can take a 16 bar solo. After your 16-bar solo, you go back to the beginning of the tune (D.C Al Coda) and play the melody again, ending on C, the 1st fret of the B string (the Coda).

Things to keep in mind when playing melody:

1. Try not to worry too much about fingerings. Just go for the notes and use whatever fingerings are comfortable for you.

2. Use your ears. Don’t be intimidated by what the melody “looks” like on paper. Music always tends to look far more complicated on paper than it actually is.

3. Notice that when I used a particular short pattern, (Labeled above the staff), I didn’t always use all 6 notes in the pattern. I only used the notes needed for the melody at that moment. But, if you study each measure where a short pattern is used (1st 8 bars of the tune), you’ll be able to see that the holes in that measure did indeed come out of the pattern that I have labeled above the staff.

Things to keep in mind when improvising your solo:

1. Try to play melodically. Move around by connecting the 7 short scale patterns. Use the melody of the tune as your modality (center).

2. Use your ears. If you hear a note that sounds good to you, stay on it until it doesn’t.

3. Take lines from the melody, and insert them in your solo. In fact, memorize the melody and use the melody as your solo. Just change it around a little.

4. We cannot have music without rhythm. Experiment with different rhythmic ideas.

5. Learning how to play takes years, be patient with yourself and have fun.

Until next time – Rick

These 3 short patterns will turn into 7 stackable patterns. These 7 patterns will tie the entire fretboard together for you in a way that would have taken you years to master. This system will complete change you’re melodic and soloing techniques.

You’ll find by looking at the guitar in a different way your solos will sound much more melodic and creative. Make sure to put this new material to good use by using the jam box and soling over different chord progressions in different keys – Until next time – Rick