KW Guitar Society Tip #8 Chromatic scales part 2

So………..I have to ask, how are your chromatic scales progressing?

a) Great!! I have practiced until my fingers were bleeding:)

b) Not bad, I have noticed a difference already!

c) My dog ate my guitar strings… I am not sure but after 30 years of teaching, I think I have actually heard this one:)

d) What is a chromatic scale?

Okay for you keeners and everyone totally obsessed with guitar playing, here are some chromatic scales covering the whole fretboard.

Example number three is for more advanced guitar players.  It shows how a chromatic scale can be used in action.  This pattern is very John Coltrane like, but is making its appearance in todays leading edge guitar players like Guthrie Govan, Steve Vai etc.

Here are some things to pay attention to this week:

1. Watch your intonation.  Sometimes one of your fingers can be pushing the string downward and out of tune.  This is a sign of a weaker finger and it can be other fingers besides the pinky.

2. Variety is the key here.  Our physical bodies are quite adaptive.  So we need to keep our fingers quite active in different tempos, scales and positions on the guitar.

3. Never over play when you feel pain.  Your hand should feel warm and loose.  Any pain is not a good thing.  Pushing through is not a good thing.  I can’t over emphasize this last point.  In fact it can be a whole series of guitar tips on its own.  Sometimes we feel that we can get away with it, but problems can appear years later.  Overplaying into the pain zone will only hinder your progress in the long run.  Trust me on that one as I have been there and done that!

4.  Remember to always use alternate picking.

Stay Tuned

Stephen Zurakowsky