Scales

Just curious for those of you who've started scales or been playing scales for several months, do you find that your fingers eventually start moving more efficiently up and down the frets or do you find that you need separate exercises to accomplish that?

I'm talking about how one's fingers tend to come too far up off the fret board when you're going through the progression. While I have gotten more efficient over the last several months, I notice the difference between my finger movement and more experienced guitarists is still significant. Trying to determine the best way to train my fingers to barely come off in order to move to the next string.

Comments/suggestions appreciated.

Originally Posted by: michaelwharris

I'm talking about how one's fingers tend to come too far up off the fret board when you're going through the progression. While I have gotten more efficient over the last several months, I notice the difference between my finger movement and more experienced guitarists is still significant. Trying to determine the best way to train my fingers to barely come off in order to move to the next string.

That a good observation. You definitely have to make a conscious effort to keep your fingers from flailing at first. If you continue to practice figner motions with minimal motion it gradually becomes more second nature & you can play faster & more efficiently automatically.

The time it takes to automate, to move from conscious effort to subconscious second nature, is different for everyone. But the same process has to take place in both cases.

Hope that helps!

Originally Posted by: ChristopherSchlegel

Originally Posted by: michaelwharris

I'm talking about how one's fingers tend to come too far up off the fret board when you're going through the progression. While I have gotten more efficient over the last several months, I notice the difference between my finger movement and more experienced guitarists is still significant. Trying to determine the best way to train my fingers to barely come off in order to move to the next string.

That a good observation. You definitely have to make a conscious effort to keep your fingers from flailing at first. If you continue to practice figner motions with minimal motion it gradually becomes more second nature & you can play faster & more efficiently automatically.

The time it takes to automate, to move from conscious effort to subconscious second nature, is different for everyone. But the same process has to take place in both cases.

Hope that helps!

Very helpful, Christopher! Always appreciate your detailed instruction!

hi, I've been trying to learn how to solo and focusing on the pentatonic scale right now..The problem is I don't know how to connect all the shapes of the pentatonic across the fretboard.Is there an easy way to do this?? Thanks

Hey & welcome to GT!

Originally Posted by: regieboy2015

hi, I've been trying to learn how to solo and focusing on the pentatonic scale right now..The problem is I don't know how to connect all the shapes of the pentatonic across the fretboard.Is there an easy way to do this?? Thanks

What is your skill level? What kind of music do you want to play?

Assuming you have the skills to work through them I have a series of tutorials on the pentatonic scales. These will show you the shapes, how & why they make those patterns, and how to systematically practice them.

Pentatonic boxes & frameworks

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=296

Pentatonic major scale exercises

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=722

Pentatonic minor scale exercises

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=185

These are more aimed at how to connect them.

Connecting pentatonic scales 1

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=737

[br]Connecting pentatonic scales 2

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=843

[br]Connecting pentatonic scales 3

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=914

I also have a series of lessons on how to improvise. These will show you how to take scale shapes like the pentatonic & use them to play melodies & licks.

https://www.guitartricks.com/collection/learning-to-improvise

I also encourage GT users to work through one of the style courses. This is because learning how to use scales is taught in the context of the style, along with the other elements that are important. Pick a style (blues, country or rock) & dive in!

https://www.guitartricks.com/experienced.php

Finally, make sure to learn solos from songs! That's how most of the players we admire learned in the first place. They picked up licks & ideas from guitarists & musicians that inspired them! Find a song with a solo you like & learn it! See what makes it tick. Why those notes in that order over those chords or riffs?

https://www.guitartricks.com/songs/

Hope this helps. Please more if necessary & best of success!

thank you for the reply.I think that's what I need. I am an intermediate player.Ive been playing for years but more of the acoustics rhythm guitar. I like to learn how to Solo in Rock music and also blues.. thanks for the advice.

Doing scales is really more about learning and internalizing which notes are available to utilize within a key. To me, it sounds like you need to mix up your scale exercises! You not only can practice scales using intervals but you should! Next time you practice your scales, don't just go up and down the scale. Use intervals. Go from the first to the fifth of scale. Try arpeggiating. Mix it up and you'll start to figure it out. VidMateVidMate apphttps://myfiosgateway.win/

Originally Posted by: regieboy2015I am an intermediate player.Ive been playing for years but more of the acoustics rhythm guitar. I like to learn how to Solo in Rock music and also blues.. thanks for the advice.

You're welcome! Best of success with it. Please ask more if necessary!