Connecting Scale Patterns

Welcome back! In this lesson I will be showing you a way that I like to connect the five basic major scale patterns. Being a guitar instructor for a very long time, this is one of the questions I get asked a lot.

I will first show the student each of the five basic patterns, then once they have each of them memorized. I will show them different ways to connect them. This is just one way to connect them when you are playing all 6 strings of each pattern. This is great way to practice them when you first learn the patterns - and of course, you have to play them everywhere. Also, knowing the notes and intervals is important as well.

To do this is, you play up the first pattern, then down the second pattern, etc. You continue this way through all 5 patterns and then you reverse it, down the neck.

There are many ways to connect these together, the way I have it here works great at higher speeds, and it is good for slower tempos as well. It is important to work out fingerings that are comfortable for you as well. Also, be sure to alternate pick all of the scales and play it to a metronome.

Example 1 is the G major scale, (G, A, B, C, D, E, F#) with the 5 basic patterns. You play up the first pattern and down the 2nd pattern, etc. Continue all the way up the neck and back.

MP3 - Connecting Scale Patterns - Example 1

That is it for now, be sure to do this with all your scales and make up your own ways to connect them. Please visit www.mikecampese.com for more information.