One String Attached: Part 2
Making the Transition to the Seven-String Guitar, Part II: Seven String Scales and Exercises
by Darryl Cunningham
September 12, 2000
Last month, we introduced you to the seven-string guitar's neck and learned how to use the extra string to create some cool chord voicings. This time, we'll look at some scales and meet a few of the players pushing the seven-string to the limit.
The Benedetto Benny, available from the Guild Custom Shop. |
Scale Basics
Learning scales can be the most efficient way to develop a solid understanding of the guitar's neck. When I studied under various teachers, I was taught there were five positions of the scale. Once you learned all five positions, you knew the whole neck. The same applies to the seven-string. Below are five positions of the D major scale.
The D-Major Scale in Five Positions
Click on the image to hear each scale.
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Attack these scales in increments. Start off with the first "box" pattern of the D major scale above. Start slowly, and use alternate picking -- it's essential if you want to build speed.
Once you have mastered one pattern, go to the next one. You'll notice that the chord patterns we discussed earlier are within the scales. Also, notice how each box pattern connects to the adjacent pattern. Like chords, scales can be transposed if you change your position on the neck.
Once you have these basic patterns down, it’s a good idea to see where they fit into the complete major scale. If you know your theory, you can tackle this scale in all seven modes.
D-Major Scale (click for larger image) |
Next Page: Reaching Down for Minor Scales....
Darryl Cunningham has been playing guitar for over 25 years. He studied under two GIT instructors, including Jennifer Batten, and has played in church bands and as a pit musician for the Omaha, Nebraska, Community Playhouse. He's currently working on the debut CD with Omaha-based rap-core band Altar.
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