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Lesson 16

Scales​

Moving Between Adjacent Scale Patterns​

Chords and Progressions​

Using 6ths to Make Partial Chords​

An interval is the distance between two notes. It is measured in whole steps and half steps. One half step is the same as one fret on the guitar.

Sixths are used widely in the blues, both in lead and rhythm guitar parts. They can be used both harmonically (both notes played simultaneously) or melodically (the two notes played sequentially). As noted above, both notes are parts of a chord - a seventh, ninth or even a thirteenth chord. Since the whole chord is not played, it is more "suggested" or "implied" than actually "stated".

Practice​

  • Play scales moving between adjacent scale patterns:
    • Start with the lowest complete pattern available in a given key.
    • Play the four notes of the first string pair.
    • Move up to the next scale pattern, and play the four notes there.
    • Go back to the lower scale pattern with which you began, and play the four notes on the next string pair - the 5th and 4th strings.
    • Move back up to the next scale pattern and play the four notes on the same string pair.
    • Move back down to the first pattern and do the same with the next string pair - the 4th and 3rd strings.
    • Repeat the procedure until you reach the upper note of the last string pair - the 2nd and 1st strings - in the upper of the two scale patterns you are using.
    • Then, turn right back around and reverse the procedure, using a descending pattern similar to the one you used in the last lesson, but moving back and forth between the two adjacent scale patterns.
    • When you get to the top, reverse the direction and move back down through the two patterns.