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This page: Going Outside the Box
Going Outside the Box
Now that you've gotten to know the scales, how about an example of how you can go beyond the grid. Here's a good exercise for skipping strings that will help you develop dexterity and precision. It's a simple riff that sounds best with lots of distortion/gain. Use the palm of your picking hand to mute the strings during the quarter-rests -- otherwise, all the gain will result in some unwanted noise.
Seven-string riff in the key of C (click for larger image)
Listen
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The keys to making the transition from six- to seven-string are patience and diligence. Give your mind the time to get to know the neck and your body the time to develop some new habits, and you may never want to go back to the six-string again.
Alternate Tunings
Guitar players use the seven-string to expand their harmonic possibilities. You can really take advantage of the additional string by using alternate tunings. Here are a couple of my favorites:
- E A D G B E E: from low to high.
Using the two high E strings in unison can cause some interesting modulation effects, much like a 12-string.
- E E A D G B E:
Here, the unison effects are in the lower register. You can also use the one of the low E strings as a drone.
- A E A D G B E:
Drop D players should recognize this variation. I call it the seven-string Drop A tuning. Try it with slide.
- C E G C G C E:
This Open C tuning is a nice alternative to conventional open tunings.
Next Page: First-Team Seven-Stringers....
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