Example 4

Open up the string

Moving away fr om the set number of notes per string idea can really open up the fingerboard. Pentatonic scales played in a 3-1-3 scheme for instance, work great. I show pupils this after I’ve asked them to play any three octave 7-note scale (for example, in the key of A starting on the 5th fret of the low E string and ending up on the 17th fret of the high E). In example 4 is an A Aeolian fingering that is easy to learn, just remember to slide between the first two notes on each pair of strings with your 1st finger. The pattern thereafter is symmetrical and easy to visualise. Notice how I have doubled the root notes. The reason for this was to bring it ‘in time’ as 16th notes, plus it also accents the root. Also notice how the descending fingering is slightly different – the A note is played on the G string descending and on the B string ascending. In example 4a I have omitted the ‘doubled’ notes and added legato. This style of fingering is nice for those occasions when you want to fly around the neck! After playing this example seek out fingerings for other scales types.