Good Scales

cjem · #1 03-24-2009, 06:35 PM

I was just wondering what a few good scales are, or if you know any good sweep patterns that would be nice too. I just want to find some fun stuff that will help me to improve my playing.

callen3615 · #2 03-24-2009, 09:16 PM

This is the only sweep I can do. Not very well either. But anyway

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXypqrCEhZc

cjem · #3 03-25-2009, 12:02 AM

thanks for the suggestion

callen3615 · #4 03-25-2009, 12:44 AM

Sure. I used to practice that major sweep all the time. But I never really use it. Now that I havent practiced it I suck at sweeping. Well anyway... Good luck.

AussiePGFan · #5 03-26-2009, 08:30 AM

My favourite mode would have to be Lydian, Its a major scale with a raised fourth - the dissonance from 1 to 4 makes for some good tunes. Good examples of its use are Flying in a Blue Dream by Satch and K'm pee du wee by Vai...

toneboy · #6 03-26-2009, 09:27 AM

I never met a scale I didn't like.

Seriously though, thanks to the wonders of the Internet, that are a plethora of sites out there that have oodles of info on the scales, sweeps, etc., etc. Do a search on Google and being to blow your mind.

Also, be sure to learn the theory behind scales, modes and arpeggios. They are all just tools and if you don't know the theory behind them, you will never be able to use them to their fullest.

cjem · #7 03-26-2009, 03:59 PM

Thanks, and ya i know about modes and arpeggiosand stuff like the circle of fifths and what no. I was just wondering what peoples favorite sounding ones were, to see if I could find an interesting knew one I have yet to explore. Thanks for everybodies help!

mi2tom · #8 03-27-2009, 12:56 AM

I love all scales.... Even chromatic.

toneboy · #9 03-27-2009, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjem

.... if I could find an interesting knew one I have yet to explore.

If you want to check out some exotic scales then you should definitely check out Nicolas Slonimsky's Thesaurus Of Scales And Melodic Patterns. That book is considered the standard for exotic/non-Western scales. Lots of players, from every style of music you can imagine, have learned from that book.

cjem · #10 03-28-2009, 12:38 AM

thanks toneboy, it looks very interesting and I will look into getting it

Dantesstudio · #11 04-10-2009, 12:36 PM

Adam Rafferty wrote a great book on scales. The book focuses on major scales and all of the minor scales. He uses C.F. Hanon's(a world renown pianio palyer and teacher)work to creat his book "How to Develop Virtuoso Single Line Technique for Jazz Guitar." The book focuses on the "3-notes per string" scales. It has several exercises for mastering these scales. I know it says "for Jazz guitar" and I will confess i am a Jazz guitarist by trade but it definatly helped my playing all the way around. It really cracks down on your efficency.

Another good thing to do is Digital Patterns. Digital patterns are segments of scales which are used by jazz guitarists to learn to play solos over intrecate chord changes. Digital patterns don't really have anything to do with playing a particular style of music. They just give you sets of notes to play over chord changes. When you link them they can be really cool. Like if you are playing a twelve bar blues progression. On the turn around try using tri tone substitutio but rather than playing chords play 16thnote runs on digital patterns. You will think you are Jim Hall or Satriani.

Brosa · #12 04-10-2009, 02:19 PM

Michael lee Firkins has great sweep picking licks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPVzm6tNdok
( skip the first part and start at 05:33 if you wish)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dJ-ep0mSJM

Divine · #13 04-25-2009, 04:04 PM

Begin with the pentatonics! And I don't mean the regular pattern that everyone knows. Try to learn the pentatonic scale on the entire neck. It will really open up some new ideas.