The Guitar Player's Resource
The 6-Note, Hexatonic scale is my own variation on the relative scale starting at the 4th note of the Harmonic Minor scale. I only use 6 notes, obviously.
The scale is formed using the 1st, 2nd, flat-3rd, raised 4th, 5th and natural 6th tones of the major scale. In the key of 'A' that would be, A, B, C, D#, E, F#.
Diagram 1:
If you prefer, here is the tab:
Diagram 2:
Move your first-finger-position up one fret for every string, using three notes per string. (*up two notes between the 4th and 5th strings, naturally.*)
The great thing about using this scale is it also contains the 4-note (or arpeggiated) Diminished scale within its borders. This enables you to move effortlessly between the two scales.
You can hear my use of this Hexatonic and Diminished scales in "Birth Of A God" from my "Mechanica Diablo" CD, the solo parts of "Noir Lamour" from my "Dreamscapes" CD and splashed throughout the solos on "Electric Horrorland".
Play around with this scale. Get to know the sound and feel of it. Add it to your repertoire and amaze your friends!
Another Eccentric Exotic scale in my next lesson, stay tuned...
Michael Knight is a composer and guitar player from Floral Park, NY, who has released several independent CDs on his own label, Knight Music Productions.
His latest CD is entitled "Electric Horrorland", another musical descent into the darkest depths of the abyss.
