Dobro Scales

Scale Exercises
For the Standard Tuned Resonator Guitar

By Pete Reichwein
CONTENTS
CONTENTS......................................................................................................................................i
AUTHORS FORWARD................................................................................................................ii
INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................iii
FUNDAMENTALS OF SCALES...................................................................................................1
NOTATION AND TERMINOLOGY.............................................................................................5
SCALE EXERCISES......................................................................................................................9
SCALE EXERCISES BY KEY.....................................................................................................37
AUTHORS FORWARD
The information in this paper is available for your unrestricted use. Feel free to copy or print all or any part of it, or
reuse the information as you see fit
The development of this paper was started in response to a thread about practice techniques on the resoguit-l mail
list. It got out of control When I started to write this stuff down, I realized that there were significant gaps in my
knowledge of the resonator guitar neck. So I set out to fill them in for my own purposes. The result is this somewhat
dry discussion over 70 pages worth, most of which is tablature. I have no illusions about the contents. Anybody
with a small knowledge of music in general and the resonator guitar in particular could have written this down,
provided he had the patience (or obsessive compulsive behavior). The process has been very helpful to me and has
added significantly to my list of practice routines. I hope it will be of some help to others.
I kept this paper in a relatively simple a format without graphics, so that it would be easy for someone to display,
edit, reformat, etc. The tab requires a fixed width font so columns line up properly. Courier New, 8 point was used.
If you want to use a bigger point size, you may want to view or print it in the landscape mode, to avoid line
wrapping.
I am sure that there are mistakes, so please let me know if you find any (petereichwein@comcast.net). I plan to
continue work on this paper in an attempt to make it a reference tool.
Update Info:
- Nov. 4, 2004. Initial offering. Contained typos and errors.
- Nov. 15, 2004. Included new section FUNDAMENTALS OF SCALES,
Global change of the term dobro to resonator guitar, and various minor corrections.
- Nov. 19, 2004. Additional corrections. Reformatting, addition of Table of Contents with page numbers.
- Nov. 23, 2004. Additional corrections. Added Fret Board diagrams for each Key in last section.
ii
INTRODUCTION
Practicing scales and scale patterns on the resonator guitar can be helpful to your playing in many ways.
Improvement to timing, tone, and knowledge of the neck are just a few of the benefits these exercises can provide. If
a player intends to play single note melody lines on the instrument, and especially if one wishes to improvise
melody lines, these exercises are invaluable. An attempt is made to describe the resonator guitar neck as thoroughly
as my experience allows. The discussion may seem dry and somewhat academic because its main purpose is to
document my practice exercises for myself and anyone else who might be interested. There may be other, superior
exercises for accomplishing what these are intended to do. I do not suggest that every player should practice all the
exercises described, but I do feel that any player can benefit from some form of practice of scales in the keys in
which he intends to play. Some of the exercises described are very difficult. I do not claim to be able to execute all
of them perfectly at high speed, but I have performed all of them, and they are playable. I believe it is possible for a
player to master all of these exercises, and that player would have great command of the resonator guitar neck. I
aspire to be such a player.
How This Paper Is Organized
The second section (following this Introduction) provides brief descriptions of Diatonic and Pentatonic Scales,
which can be ignored by those who are familiar with that information. Music theory it is not discussed in great
detail, since my knowledge is limited and there are numerous web sites that provide such information. The reader
only needs a rudimentary knowledge of scales to use the exercises contained in this paper.
In the interest of clarity, the third section describes the tab method and various terminology used in the ensuing
discussion. This section also provides a description of how I have chosen to organize the neck of the standard
tuned resonator guitar. Much of the ensuing discussion assumes the reader has an understanding of this information.
The fourth section provides tabulation of exercises for the more commonly used keys, which are G, C, D, and A.
The techniques involved in these exercises are discussed in detail.
The fifth section includes a subsection for each key in which scale exercises are provided. The section is intended as
a reference, so exercises from the earlier sections are repeated. Discussion is sparse and directed toward finer points.
This allows one to print a complete set of the exercises presented for a given key.
iii
FUNDAMENTALS OF SCALES
This section presents the rudiments of Diatonic Scales for those who know little or nothing about them. This will by
no means be an in depth lesson in music theory. Those who are familiar with these concepts should skip this section.
Why do we care about scales? A great number of melodies draw from a palette of only seven notes. Standard
musical notation is set up to identify those seven notes, that is, the scale, at the beginning. If a melody requires a
note that is not in the defined scale, a temporary scale change notation (flat, sharp, or natural) is required. Its called
an accidental (as if you didnt mean to do it). When playing in the key of G major, one plays notes from the G
scale while the chord behind the tune is G. When the chord changes to a C, D or some other related chord, one does
not play notes from a C or D scale, but continues to use the same seven notes of the G scale. So if one is very
familiar with all the notes for a given key, he is likely to be able to play most tunes in that key with relative ease.
Scale exercises are a means of gaining that familiarity.
Diatonic Scales
The Diatonic Scale is defined by a sequence of Whole Step (W) and Half Step(H) intervals as follows:.
W
After the last Half Step, the pattern repeats. The above sequence defines a Major Diatonic Scale. If one looks at the
keyboard of a Piano, the diatonic sequence is apparent by examining the intervals between the white keys:
Black keys
White keys
C#
C
D#
D
F#
E
G#
G
A#
A
Each note between the lettered notes is designated as the sharp (#) of the note before it (shown above) or the flat (b)
of the note after it, depending upon the key of the scale you are working with. By starting on a given note, and
using the interval sequence described above, the major scale for the key (designated by the starting note) can be
determined. The following diagram identifies the major scale for each of the twelve keys.
C
Key
Key
Key
Key
Key
Key
Key
Key
Key
Key
Key
Key
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
C
Db
D
Eb
E
F
F#
G
Ab
A
Bb
B
C# D
Db
Db
D
D
D# E
Eb
F# G
Gb
F
F
G
Gb
F# G
G
F#
G
F#
G
Eb
Eb
E
E
F
F
G# A
Ab
Ab
A
A
Ab
G# A
A
G#
A
Ab
A
A# B
Bb
C
C
Bb
Bb
B
B
Bb
A# B
B
Bb
B
Bb
B
C
C
C
C
C
C# D
Db
D# E
Eb
Db
C# D
D
C#
D
C#
D
Db
C# D
D
C#
Eb
D# E
E
D#
E
Eb
E
Eb
D# E
F# G
Gb
G# A
Ab
A# B
Bb
F
E# F#
F# G
F
G
F#
F
G
F#
Ab
G# A
A
G#
Bb
A# B
C
C
The reason some keys use flat (b) designation versus sharp (#) is explained by the nature of standard musical
notation. In this notation, notes are designated by 5 lines and the spaces between them. For example, the following
indicates the notes for the lines and spaces on the treble staff:
Key of C
--------- F
E
--------- D
C
--------- B
A
--------- G
F
--------- E
Key of F
--------- F
E
--------- D
C
b-------- Bb
A
--------- G
F
--------- E
Key of A
#-------- F#
E
--------- D
#
C#
--------- B
A
#-------- G#
F#
--------- E
Each line and space indicates a consistent letter name for its note, which may be designated to be sharp or flat for the
scale. If the key of F were to use sharp designations and the key of A were to use flats, the scales would be as
follows:
Key of F
Key of A
F
A
G
B
A A#
Db D
C
E
D
Gb
E F
Ab A
Notice that there are two notes named with the letter A for the key of F, which are A and A#. Thus, if sharp
designations were used, the second space from the bottom on the treble staff would have to represent both A and A#,
which is ambiguous. Since there is no contention for note letters when using flat designations, those are used for the
key of F. The converse is true for the key of A.
Key of F
Key of A
F
A
G
B
A Bb
C# D
C
E
D
F#
E F
G# A
When playing in a given key, it is usually more convenient to refer to a note by its relative order in the major scale,
or scale degree, than by its letter name.
1
F
Key of F
2-
2
G
3-
Gb
3
A
4
Bb
Ab
4+
5
C
6-
Cb
6
D
Db
7-
7
E
1
F
Eb
Thus, in the key of F, the F, G, A, Bb, C, D, and E notes are the root, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th, respectively. The
notes between the notes in the scale, Gb, Ab, Db, and Eb are the minor 2nd, minor 3rd, minor 6th, and minor 7th of the
key of F. The Cb, which is also not in the major scale, is referred to as the augmented 4th or diminished 5th (dont
ask). In this paper, 3- is shorthand for minor third, etc. By using the scale degree, one can refer to any note in
any key, without having to memorize the absolute (lettered) notes that make up each key.
MODES
The order of the intervals in the diatonic sequence cannot change and still be diatonic, but one may begin on a
different interval in the sequence. Since there are seven intervals in the sequence, there are seven intervals on which
one can begin. Each starting interval defines a different mode of the key. The sequence defined above defines the
Major mode, which is also called Ionian. The following diagram illustrates the interval sequence for each mode.
Ionian (Major)
Dorian
Phrygian
Lydian
Mixolydian
Aeolean (Minor)
Locrian
W
W
H
H
H
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
H
H
H
H
W
W
W
W
W
For a given key, the seven scale modes can be constructed by using each of the above sequence variations, starting
from the root. The following diagram illustrates that process for the key of G.
Ionian (Major)
Dorian
Phrygian
Lydian
Mixolydian
Aeolean (Minor)
Locrian
A
G
B
A
G
C
Bb
Ab
G
D
C
Bb
A
G
E
D
C
B
A
G
F#
E
D
C#
B
A
G
F
Eb
D
C
Bb
Ab
G
F
E
D
C
Bb
G
F#
E
D
C
G
F
Eb
Db
G
F
Eb
G
F
In the above diagram, the bottom line illustrates two cycles of the diatonic sequence. The modes are formally
defined by the changes to the major scale that are needed to produce each mode. For example, the Dorian mode
contains a minor 3rd, and a minor 7th instead of a natural 3rd and 7th, and all other notes are the same as in the Major
Scale. The following diagram summarizes.
Ionian (Major)
Dorian
Phrygian
Lydian
Mixolydian
Aeolean (Minor)
Locrian
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
22
2
2
2-
3
333
3
33-
4
4
4
4+
4
4
4+
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
6
6
66
6
66-
7
777
777-
If one needs to determine the notes that are needed to play in a given mode, he can memorize the above information
for the modes he commonly uses. Another (possibly quicker) way comes from the recognition that there are only
twelve sets of notes that make up all the modes of the diatonic scales of which there is a total of 84 (12 keys x 7
modes). The seven notes that make up a C Major Scale are the same set of notes used in the D Dorian, E Phrygian, F
Lydian, G Mixolydian, A minor, and B Locrian scales. These are played by starting and ending the C Major Scale
on a different note than the root. For example, an A Minor Scale consists of the same seven notes as the C Major
Scale, but the A Minor Scale begins and ends on the A note.
So if one can determine the major key that includes the same set of notes as the desired mode (and he has learned
that major scale), it should be simple to play in the desired mode. The following identifies, for a given key, the
relative key from which the notes are used to form each diatonic mode:
Mode
Play notes from
# frets away from the root
Ionian (Major)
Dorian
Phrygian
Lydian
Mixolydian
Aeolean (Minor)
Locrian
I
VIIV+
V
IV
IIIII-
+10,
+8,
+7,
+5,
+3,
+1,
-2
-4
-5
-7
-9
-11
To illustrate how to use this diagram, suppose one wanted play an A Lydian scale. Locate an A (second string,
second fret), go up the neck seven frets to find the E (or just locate the V chord). The notes in the E Major Scale are
the same notes used in the A Lydian Scale, with the scale beginning and ending on the A note. Notice that the fret
sequence going down the neck (-2, -4, -5, -7, -9, -11) is the diatonic sequence in reverse.
Why do we care about Modes? Each of the diatonic modes has a distinct mood or feel that can be applied to a
tune or song. The following describes each mode from my subjective point of view.
Ionian: Major, upbeat, happy sound.
Lydian: Similar to Major. The augmented 4th gives it a slightly brighter sound
MixoLydian: Similar to Major. This mode is commonly used in Celtic, Old Time, and Bluegrass music. Examples
of tunes that use this scale are Red Haired Boy, June Apple, and Big Mon. The minor 7th gives it a slightly more
somber sound than the Major Mode.
Aeolian: Minor, sad or dark sound.
Dorian: This scale works when played against either a major or minor G chord. When played against a major chord,
it produces a bluesy sound. The Bill Monroe tune Evening Prayer Blues is played primarily using this scale. When
this mode is used against a minor chord, it sounds very nearly minor, differing from the Aeolian mode by only the
natural 6th.
Phrygian: Exotic, Spanish sound. This mode is often used in Flamenco pieces.
Locrian: Exotic, Middle Eastern sound. This mode differs most from the Major Mode, with only the root and 5th in
common. This mode is often used in Klezmer music.
Knowing the kind of mood you want to produce and using the above diagram, you can determine the scale/mode
that needs to be played. Most players (including myself) do not regularly use all of the modes, nor do they play in all
of the keys. So consider a player who only plays out of the G and D positions (capoing when needed) and only uses
the Major, Minor, and Mixolydian modes. That player could benefit greatly from practicing scales in the keys of G,
D, and C. These would help him play in G Mixolydian, D Mixolydian, D Dorian, A Minor, and B Minor in addition
to the three major keys. These are not all the modes that these three scales support, but they are the more commonly
used. Familiarization with the F Scale would add significant capability, notably C Mixolydian, D Minor and G
Dorian. So knowledge of a few scales can go a long way.
Pentatonic Scales
Pentatonic Scales, as is implied by the name, consist of 5 notes instead of 7. The Pentatonic Scale is defined by a
sequence of Whole Step (W) and Three Half Step (W+) intervals as follows:
Mode
Mode
Mode
Mode
Mode
I (Major)
II
III
IV
V (Minor)
W
W
W+
W+
W+
W
W
W
W
W+
W+
W+
W+
W+
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W+
W+
These scales could be considered partial diatonic scales. This is illustrated by the following diagram, which leaves
a space where a note number is omitted.
Mode
Mode
Mode
Mode
Mode
I (Major)
II
III
IV
V (Minor)
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
5
5
4
3- 4
4
3- 4
5
5
6
76- 76
7-
By comparing this with the corresponding diagram for diatonic modes, you can determine the diatonic modes for
which each pentatonic mode can be substituted. For example, the Minor Mode (V) has all five notes in common
with both the Aeolian and Dorian Modes, and therefore, could be used in place of either. The following diagram
suggests some possible substitutions.
Mode I (Major)
Ionian
1
1
2
2
3
3
5
5
6
6
Mode II
1
1
2
2
4
4
5
5
77-
Mode III
Phrygian
Aeolean
1
1
1
3- 4
2- 3- 4
2 3- 4
5
5
6- 76- 76- 7-
Mode IV
1
1
2
2
4
4
5
5
6
6
1
1
1
2
2
3- 4
3- 4
3- 4
5
5
5
76 76- 7-
Mixolydian
Ionian
Mode V (Minor)
Dorian
Aeolean
There are many other substitutions of Pentatonic for Diatonic Modes that could be made just on the basis of having
notes in common, but it does not make sense to substitute a scale that loses the character of the Diatonic Mode.
For example, the Major Pentatonic Mode has all notes in common with the Lydian Mode, but does not include the
augmented 4th, which is the defining note for the Lydian Mode.
Pentatonic scales are simpler and generally easier to play than diatonic scales, and can be very effective for
improvisation. There are other five note scales that are used in Rock and Jazz that include half tone intervals. These
will not be described here.
NOTATION AND TERMINOLOGY

Tab Description
The following defines the meaning of the various lines that makes up the tab used herein, using a G Major scale as
an example:
Absolute note:
Scale Degree:
Measure markers:
Fret numbers for each note:
First string:
Second string:
Third string:
Fourth string:
Fifth string:
Sixth string:
Finger/Attack:
G
1
A
2
B
3
C
4
D
5
E
6
F# G
7 1
A
2
B
3
C
4
D
5
E
6
F# G
7 1
----------------------------------0-----4--5--------------------------------0--1-----5--------------------------------0--2-----------------------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------0--1--------------------------------------0--2-------------------------------------------T I T I T M I T I T I M T I T
The only lines in this tab method that are absolutely necessary are those denoting the six strings. The absolute notes
and/or scale degrees can be included as convenient additional information. The scale degrees correspond to the notes
in the diatonic scale: 1 (do), 2 (re), 3 (me), etc. Measure markers may be helpful to define the timing (feel) for some
exercises. It is assumed that all notes are of equal length (e.g., eighth notes or eighth note triplets). No method is
proposed at this time for representing exercises with varying note lengths, although such exercises can also be very
helpful. The optional finger/attack line can be included to suggest the actual finger or attack to use for each note.
These can be T (thumb), I (index finger), M (middle finger), R (ring finger), H (hammer on), P (pull off), or S
(slide).
When a note position on the neck must be specified, it will be indicated by the number of its string followed by a
backslash (\) followed be the number of the fret. Thus, the F note on the fourth string, 3rd fret is denoted 4\3.
Bar Movement
Each note change in a scale is referred to as a move, which is accomplished by some type of manipulation of the
bar. The different types of moves that are referenced are as follows:
Free Move A change of note where the first note is played on an open string and the second is fretted, or vice
versa. There may also be cases where two consecutive open notes are used or where two consecutive notes at the
same fret are played. These are also considered free moves since little or no movement of the bar is necessary.
Hammer-On A change of note where the first note is plucked on an open string and the second is accomplished by
lightly striking the ringing string with the bar.
Pull-Off A change of note where the first note is plucked on a fretted string and the second is played by pulling the
bar against the string as it is removed, causing the open note to ring.
Slide - A change of note where the first note is plucked on a fretted string and the second is played by sliding the bar
on the same string up or down to the second note, without plucking the string a second time.
Closed Move - A change of note where the first note is played on a fretted string and the second is also played on a
fretted string. These are usually the most difficult moves because the first note must be plucked, allowed to ring,
muted, the bar repositioned (with some short period of quiet), re-fretted, and the second note plucked. The string on
which the first string is played may or may not be the same as that of the second note.
Free Shift This move is like a free move, except that the position on the neck is changed. This is a technique where
the time needed to play an open note is exploited to reposition the bar up or down the neck.
Closed Shift This move is like a closed move, except that the position on the neck is changed.
Neck Positions
For guitars, fiddles, and other fretted instruments, there are well defined hand positions for playing scales which
determine the finger to be used for a given note. On the resonator guitar, hand positions are not clearly defined, since
we only use one finger to play all the notes. In an attempt to understand the resonator guitar neck, I have devised
neck positions for playing scales, so that at any given time, I visualize myself playing in a particular position.
When moving up or down the notes of a scale, there is often need for a shift between positions. The following is a
diagram of the first 17 frets, indicating all notes that belong in the G major scale:
2nd
5th
7th
9th
12th
17th
5----+----6----+----7----1----+----2----+----3----4----+----5----+----6----+----7----1
3----4----+----5----+----6----+----7----1----+----2----+----3----4----+----5----+----6
1----+----2----+----3----4----+----5----+----6----+----7----1----+----2----+----3----4
5----+----6----+----7----1----+----2----+----3----4----+----5----+----6----+----7----1
3----4----+----5----+----6----+----7----1----+----2----+----3----4----+----5----+----6
1----+----2----+----3----4----+----5----+----6----+----7----1----+----2----+----3----4
The relationship of notes for a key other than G can be acquired by shifting the above diagram to the right or left the
appropriate number of frets. Notice that the frets of most significance to the G major scale are the open position, and
the 5th, 7th, 12th and 17th frets. This is because the notes on all six strings at those bar positions are in the scale. These
correspond to the bar positions where the main chords in the key of G are played: root (I) - open, 12th fret;
subdominant (IV) - 5th fret, 17th fret; dominant (V) - 7th fret.
From this note arrangement, the following neck positions are defined: open, I, IV, and V. The numbered positions
are at the fret where the indicated chord is played for whatever key you are playing in. The following associates the
notes in the G scale with the various neck positions.
Open
2rd
5---+---6---+---7--3---4---+---5---+--1---+---2---+---3--5---+---6---+---7--3---4---+---5---+--1---+---2---+---3---
IV
3rd
5th
6---+---7---1--+---5---+---6--2---+---3---4--6---+---7---1--+---5---+---6--2---+---3---4---
V
7th
9th
2---+---3---4--7---1---+---2--5---+---6---+--2---+---3---4--7---1---+---2--5---+---6---+---
I
9th
12th
3---4---+---5---+---6--+---2---+---3---4---+--6---+---7---1---+---2--3---4---+---5---+---6--+---2---+---3---4---+--6---+---7---1---+---2---
The above diagram does not represent a continuous resonator guitar neck but, rather, four sections of the neck, some
of which overlap (play close attention to the fret numbers). As shown above, some of the notes are accessible from
two different positions (e.g., the 4th on fret 10). For the key of G, the open position differs from the I position (12th
fret) because of the lack of accessible notes behind the bar. In general, the open position has a different note
pattern for each key and can have notes in common with the next higher position.
Notice that the notes associated with the IV position are behind the bar (i.e., at or below the 5th fret), those
associated with the V position are in front of the bar, and those associated with the I position are on both sides of
the bar . This is one way to organize the neck for the purpose of constructing scales. Certainly, there are many other
ways to view the notes on neck.
Root Chord Locations

It is useful to be familiar with where the notes that comprise the root chord (1, 3, and 5) lie on the neck. The
following diagram identifies them for the key of G.
Open
IV
V
I
5th
7th
12th
5----+----+----+----+----1----+----+----+----3----+----+----5---3----+----+----5----+----+----+----+----1----+----+----+----3---1----+----+----+----3----+----+----5----+----+----+----+----1---5----+----+----+----+----1----+----+----+----3----+----+----5---3----+----+----5----+----+----+----+----1----+----+----+----3---1----+----+----+----3----+----+----5----+----+----+----+----1----
From the diagram above, it can be seen that, besides being able to play a G chord open or at the 12th fret, there are
several approximations of a G chord that can be played near the 5th and 7th frets:
Forward slant 1\5, 3\4. This two note approximation places the root on top and the 3rd on the bottom.
Reverse slant 2\3, 3\4, 4\5. If all 3 notes are played together, the chord will be slightly out of tune. However, any
pair can be played in tune.
Forward slant 1\9, 2\8, 3\7. If all 3 notes are played together, the chord will be slightly out of tune. However, any
pair can be played in tune.
If you associate either of the first two of these chords with position IV, the third with position V, and a straight bar
with position I, it is easier to visualize the pattern of notes in the scale for each position:
IV
3rd
5th
6---+---7---1--+---5---+---6--2---+---3---4--6---+---7---1--+---5---+---6--2---+---3---4---
V
7th
2---+---3---4--7---1---+---2--5---+---6---+--2---+---3---4--7---1---+---2--5---+---6---+---
I
12th
3---4---+---5---+---6--+---2---+---3---4---+--6---+---7---1---+---2--3---4---+---5---+---6--+---2---+---3---4---+--6---+---7---1---+---2---
V
7th
2---+---3---4--7---1---+---2--5---+---6---+--2---+---3---4--7---1---+---2--5---+---6---+---
I
12th
3---4---+---5---+---6--+---2---+---3---4---+--6---+---7---1---+---2--3---4---+---5---+---6--+---2---+---3---4---+--6---+---7---1---+---2---
or:
IV
3rd
5th
6---+---7---1--+---5---+---6--2---+---3---4--6---+---7---1--+---5---+---6--2---+---3---4---
Right Hand Techniques

Scale exercises help strengthen both hands, and increase familiarity with the neck. There will be many choices of
how to play the exercises in terms of which finger to use for a given note, and whether to pluck, hammer-on, slide,
etc. The method one uses to play the notes will vary with that players style and approach to the instrument. It is
recommended that a given exercise first be learned using the method that feels most natural. However, when the left
hand has become comfortable with where the notes lie, additional benefit can be gotten from the exercise by varying
the right hand technique.
Some players tend to use only two fingers for single note playing; thumb-index, thumb-middle, or index-middle. It
is good exercise to learn the exercise using alternating fingers (e.g., T I T I ) taking care never to interrupt the
alternation by using the same finger twice in a row. The exercise can be varied by leading with the opposite finger,
so that the entire right hand pattern is reversed.
Players who use three fingers for single note playing may want to try the exercise using different pairs of fingers.
Another technique is to attempt the exercise using a forward or backward three finger roll (uninterrupted) to play the
notes.
For open position exercises, another variation is to use all hammer-ons, pull-offs, or slides where possible, thus
minimizing the number of notes plucked by the right hand.
There are numerous variations that can be formed by using combinations of the methods described. These variations
can produce moves that are very awkward at first. But thats like a body builder putting more weight on the bar.
Whatever awkwardness you overcome contributes to the general dexterity of your hands and will improve your
playing.
Open Strings
Scales are easiest to play in the keys that contain the open notes, G, B, or D. The following identifies which keys
include which open notes.
Included notes
Keys
Included notes
Keys
GBD
BD
GB
GD
G, C, D
A
Bb, Eb, F
B
G
D
None
B, E, F#
Ab
Db
Those keys whose scale contains all the open notes provide the best opportunity to use melodic techniques. This is
discussed in a later section.
SCALE EXERCISES
The scale exercises presented in this section begin on the root, proceed upward and/or downward through the notes
in the scale, and end on the root note (or octave). I have avoided starting on other notes in the scale besides the root
because when that is done, it sounds to the ear like one is playing in some mode of a different key (see the section on
Fundamental of Scales for a discussion of Modes).
Open position
This section will be primarily concerned with open position exercises in which all notes are acquired within the first
3 or 4 frets. It will describe exercises in the commonly used keys G, D, C, and A. When beginning to practice scales,
it may be more useful to stay at the open position. All variations of open position exercises will be discussed for
each of the four keys.
Open position exercises consist of 25 notes, which are 3 complete measures, ending on the down beat of the fourth
measure. Thus, the timing feels resolved. There will be some cases where variations to an exercise can be made by
changing the span (highest and lowest notes) within the position, but maintaining the same number of notes.
In addition to open position exercises, one exercise that spans two octaves will be described for each key. These
require using notes at higher frets on the first, second, and third strings. There are numerous variations for 2 octave
exercises that are presented in later sections.
KEY OF G
The neck positions for the key of G are as follows:
Open
IV
3rd
5th
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
2rd
5---+---6---+---7
3---4---+---5---+
1---+---2---+---3
5---+---6---+---7
3---4---+---5---+
1---+---2---+---3
V
7th
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
I
12th
3---4---+---5---+---6
+---2---+---3---4---+
6---+---7---1---+---2
3---4---+---5---+---6
+---2---+---3---4---+
6---+---7---1---+---2
Open Position (incomplete) G scale:

G
1
A
2
B
3
C
4
D
5
E
6
G
1
A
2
B
3
C
4
D
5
E
6
D
5
C
4
B
3
A
2
G
1
E
6
D
5
C
4
B
3
A
2
G
1
|
|
|
-------------------------------0--2--0--------------------------------------------------------0--1-----------1--0--------------------------------------------0--2-----------------------2--0--------------------------------0--2-----------------------------------2--0--------------------0--1-----------------------------------------------1--0--------0--2-----------------------------------------------------------2--0-T H I H T H I H T H I H P T P I P T P I P T P
The above exercise uses a G scale with the F# excluded. Since this exercise involves all free moves, it can be used
as an exercise to practice hammer-ons and pull-offs.
Open Position G scale from the root on the sixth string:

G
1
A
2
B
3
C
4
D
5
CM-E F# G
6 7 1
A
2
B
3
C
4
D
5
E
6
D
5
C
4
B
3
A
2
G
1
CM-F# E
7 6
D
5
C
4
B
3
A
2
G
1
T
T
T
H
I
I
I
T
M
H
I
T
T
T
I
H
I
M
H
T
M
T
I
T
H
T
I
I
I
M
H
T
T
P
I
I
T
T
M
P
I
T
I
T
I
P
I
M
T
T
T
P
T
M
I
I
T
P
T
I
T
I
M
P
T
T
|
|
|
|
----------------------------------0--2--0-------------------------------------------------------------0--1-----------1--0-------------------------------------------------0--2-----------------------2--0----------------------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------4--2--0-------------------0--1-----------------------------------------------------1--0-------0--2-----------------------------------------------------------------2--0S
T
T
I
I
I
S
I
I
This exercise involves a closed move (CM) 4\2 - 4\4 on the way up, and the reverse move on the way down. The
sequences at which these occur in the exercise are indicated above. One can make these moves either by sliding the
bar in the needed direction, or by playing discrete notes. If the latter is chosen, effort should be made to allow each
fretted note to ring as long as possible, to make the scale sound smooth. Three right hand methods are suggested,
but there are many possible variations.
The same set of notes can be used in the following two variations of the exercise, in which the exercise begins on the
root of the third string, and starts up or down the scale.
Open Position G scale from the root on the third string, starting upward:
1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-------------0--2--0--------------------------------------------------------------0--1-----------1--0--------------------------------------------------0--2-----------------------2--0-----------------------------------------0-----------------------------------4--2--0-----------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------1--0-----------0--1--------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2--------------------
Open Position G scale from the root on the third string, starting downward:
1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------------------------------0--2--0--------------------------------------------------------------0--1-----------1--0--------0-----------------------------------------0--2-----------------------2--0-----4--2--0-----------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------1--0-----------0--1--------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2--------------------------------------------------
2 Octave G scale (Open and IV Positions):

FS-F# E D C B A G F# E D C B A G
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
|
|
|
|
----------------------------------0-----4--5--4-----0--------------------------------------------------------------0--1-----5-----------5-----1--0--------------------------------------------------0--2-----------------------------------2--0-----------------------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------4--2--0--------------------0--1-----------------------------------------------------------------1--0--------0--2-----------------------------------------------------------------------------2--0-G
1
A
2
B
3
C
4
D
5
E
6
F# G
7 1
A
2
B
3
C
4
--FS
D E
5 6
F# G
7 1
The exercise above features a free shift (FS) to the IV position from 1\0 to 2\5. This is a relatively easy move, and is
very useful for playing tunes in G. One could play the high 6th (E) on 1\2, but that would result in 7 consecutive
notes on the first string. Such bar movement is very strenuous and tends to be sloppy.
10
KEY OF D
The neck positions for the key of D are as follows:
Open
V
2nd
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
2nd
1---+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1---+
4---+---5---+---6
1---+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1---+
4---+---5---+---6
I
5th
7th
9th
3---4---+---5---+---6
+---2---+---3---4---+
6---+---7---1---+---2
3---4---+---5---+---6
+---2---+---3---4---+
6---+---7---1---+---2
IV
12th
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
Open Position D scale from the root on the first string, starting upward:
1
D
2
E
1
D
7 6
C# B
5
A
4
G
3 2 1 7 6 5 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
F# E D C# B A G A B C# D E F# G A B C# D
|
|
|
|
-0--2--0-----------------------------------------------------------------0-----------2--0-----------------------------------------------------0--2--------------------2--0-----------------------------------------0--2--------------------------------4--2--0-----------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------2--0-----------0--2--------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2--------------------------------
A slight variation can be made by starting downward, which has the effect of visiting the A on the first string (1\2) at
the end instead of at the beginning.
Open Position D scale from the root on the third string, starting downward:
1 7 6 5 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------0--2--0--------------------------------------------------------------0--2-----------2--0--------------------------------------------------0--2-----------------------2--0-----------0-----------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------4--2--0-----2--0-----------0--2--------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2-----------------------------------------------------------
Open Position D scale from the root on the third string, starting upward:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 5 6 7 1
----------------------0--2--0--------------------------------------------------------------0--2-----------2--0--------------------------------------------------0--2-----------------------2--0-----------------------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------4--2--0-----------------------0-----------------------------------------------------2--0-----------0--2--------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2-----------
Other variations can be made by making the lowest note the 5th (6\2) and the highest note the 3rd (1\4).
2 Octave D scale (Open, I, and IV Positions):
1
D
2
E
3 4
F# G
5
A
6
B
7 1
C# D
2
E
3 4
F# G
5
A
6
B
7 1
C# D
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
C# B A G F# E D C# B A G F# E D
|
|
|
|
----------------------0-----------7-----11-12-11----7-----------0--------------------------------------0--2--------7--8-----12----------12----8--7--------2--0--------------------------0--2-----------9-----------------------------------9-----------2--0-----------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------------------------------4--2--0--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The exercise above features a free shift (FS) to the I position from 1\0 to 3\9. It also includes a 5 fret closed shift
from the I to the IV position. This is a relatively difficult exercise.
11
KEY OF C
The neck positions for the key of C are as follows:
Open
I
3rd
5th
7th
3---4---+---5---+---6
+---2---+---3---4---+
6---+---7---1---+---2
3---4---+---5---+---6
+---2---+---3---4---+
6---+---7---1---+---2
2nd
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---+
5---+---6---+
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---+
5---+---6---+
IV
10th
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
V
12th
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
Open Position C scale from the root on the second string, starting upward:
C
1
D
2
E
3
D
2
C
1
B
7
A
6
G
5
F
4
E
3
D
2
C
1
B
7
A
6
G
5
A
6
B
7
C
1
D
2
E
3
F
4
G
5
A
6
B
7
C
1
|
|
|
|
----0--2--0-----------------------------------------------------------------1-----------1--0-----------------------------------------------------0--1--------------------2--0-----------------------------------------0--2--------------------------------3--2--0-----------------------0--2--3-----------------------------------------------1--0-----------0--1--------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2-----------------------------
Open Position C scale from the root on the second string, starting downward:
1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------------------------0--2--0-----1--0-----------------------------------------------------0--1-----------1--------2--0-----------------------------------------0--2--------------------------------3--2--0-----------------------0--2--3-----------------------------------------------1--0-----------0--1--------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2-----------------------------------------
Open Position C scale from the root on the fifth string, starting upward:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 6 7 1
-------------------------0--2--0--------------------------------------------------------------0--1-----------1--0--------------------------------------------------0--2-----------------------2--0-----------------------------------0--2--3-----------------------------------3--2--0-----------------------1-----------------------------------------------------1--0-----------0--1--------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2--------
Open Position C scale from the root on the fifth string, starting downward:
1 7 6 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------------------0--2--0--------------------------------------------------------------0--1-----------1--0--------------------------------------------------0--2-----------------------2--0-----------------------------------0--2--3-----------------------------------3--2--0-----1--0-----------0--1-----------------------------------------------------1--------2--0--2--------------------------------------------------------------
Other variations can be made by making the lowest note the 6th (6\2) and the highest note the 4th (1\3).
2 Octave C scale (Open, I, and IV Positions):
C
1
D
2
E
3
F
4
G
5
A
6
B
7
C
1
D
2
E
3
F
4
G
5
A
6
B
7
C
1
B
7
A
6
G
5
F
4
E
3
D
2
C
1
B
7
A
6
G
5
F
4
E
3
D
2
C
1
|
|
|
|
-------------------------0--------5-----9--10-9-----5--------0--------------------------------------------0--1-----5--6-----10----------10----6--5-----1--0--------------------------------0--2-----------------------------------------------------2--0-----------------0--2--3-----------------------------------------------------------------3--2--0-----1-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12
The exercise above features a free shift (FS) to the I position from 1\0 to 2\5. It also includes a 5 fret closed shift
from the I to the IV position.
KEY OF A
The neck positions for the key of A are as follows:
Open
2rd
4---+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4---+
|---7---1---+---2
4---+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4---+
|---7---1---+---2
IV
5th
7th
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
V
9th
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
I
12th
14th
3---4---+---5---+---6
+---2---+---3---4---+
6---+---7---1---+---2
3---4---+---5---+---6
+---2---+---3---4---+
6---+---7---1---+---2
Open Position A scale from the root on the first string:

A
1
B
2
C# D
3 4
E
5
F# G# A
6 7 1
B
2
C# D
3 4
E
5
F# E
6 5
D
4
C# B A G# F# E D C# B A
3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
|
|
|
|
-------------------------------0--2--4--2--0--------------------------------------------------------0--2-----------------2--0--------------------------------------------1--2-----------------------------2--1-----------------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------4--2--0--------------0--2-----------------------------------------------------------2--0-----2-----------------------------------------------------------------------2-
Open Position A scale from the root on the third string, starting upward:
1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
----------0--2--4--2--0--------------------------------------------------------0--2-----------------2--0-----------------------------------------------2-----------------------------2--1-----------------------------------1--2--------------------------------------4--2--0-----------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------------2--0-----0--2--------------------------------------------------------------------2-----------------------
Open Position A scale from the root on the third string, starting downward:
1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------------0--2--4--2--0--------------------------------------------------------0--2-----------------2--0-----2--1-----------------------------------1--2-----------------------------2--------4--2--0-----------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------------2--0-----0--2--------------------------------------------------------------------2-----------------------------------------------------
Variations can be made by made by making the lowest note the 7th (6\0) and the highest note the 5th (1\2).
The above exercises involve a closed move from 4\2 to 3\1, which is a span of 3 frets. This is one of the most
difficult moves, and is a major deterrent from playing in the key of A. The exercises also involve 3 consecutive
closed moves on the first string. A cleaner approach might be to play the highest 5th in the IV position (2\5). This
requires a brief shift that is not difficult, although the resulting exercise is no longer completely open. The
following illustrates this move.
A Scale (Open, IV Positions):
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
|
|
|
|
-------------------------------0-----4-----0--------------------------------------------------------0--2-----5-----5-----2--0--------------------------------------------1--2-----------------------------2--1-----------------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------4--2--0--------------0--2-----------------------------------------------------------2--0-----2-----------------------------------------------------------------------2-
13
2 Octave A Scale (Open, IV Positions):

A
1
B
2
C# D
3 4
E
5
F# G# A
6 7 1
B
2
C# D
3 4
E
5
F# G# A
6 7 1
G# F# E D C# B A G# F# E D C# B A
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
|
|
|
|
-------------------------------0--------6--7--6--------0--------------------------------------------------------0--2-----5--7-----------7--5-----2--0--------------------------------------------1--2-----------------------------------------2--1-----------------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------------4--2--0--------------0--2-----------------------------------------------------------------------2--0-----2-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2--
The exercise above features a free shift (FS) to the IV position from 1\0 to 2\5.
14
Melodic Techniques
The word melodic is used for want of a better term, since there is nothing particularly more melodic about this
technique than any other. The term is borrowed from melodic banjo style, which uses similar moves. Similar
moves are also used in guitar styles, in which the they are often referred to as floating.
For the purpose of this discussion, a melodic move is defined as a case where a fretted note is played above the open
position followed by the next lower note in the scale played on a higher open string, or vice versa. Since open notes
must be in the scale for melodic moves to be available, keys that include all the open notes (G, C, and D) offer the
best opportunities. Other keys that contain 2 of the 3 open notes can also make use of melodic techniques. As in the
previous section, this section will be concerned with the keys G, C, D, and A.
Because melodic moves are, by definition, free moves, bar movement is minimal. Melody lines can often be
simplified by one or more well placed melodic moves. This section will describe exercises in which all possible
melodic moves are used in the given key. During normal playing, one may use a mixture of free, closed, and
melodic moves, as best suits the situation.
A feature of melodic moves is overlapping tones, that is, a note continues to ring while the next note is played.
Although this is a very pleasing sound, there are cases where one desires the notes to be distinct. To achieve that
goal may require some additional damping techniques, which are not covered in this discussion.
The following exercise illustrates the use of melodic technique.
All Melodic Moves in the Key of G:
G
1
E
6
D
5
C
4
B
3
A
2
G
1
E
6
D
5
C
4
B
3
A
2
G
1
A
2
B
3
C
4
D
5
E
6
G
1
A
2
B
3
C
4
D
5
E
6
G
1
|
|
|
|
-5-----0-----------------------------------------------------------0-----5-----5--------0-----------------------------------------------0--------5--------------5--------0-----------------------------------0--------5--------------------------7--------0-----------------------0--------7--------------------------------------5--------0-----------0--------5--------------------------------------------------5-----2--0--2-----5-----------------------------
The above exercise uses a nearly complete scale, visiting all the notes except the 7th (F#).
KEY OF G
2 Octave Melodic G Scale from the root on the first string:
G
1
F# E
7 6
D
5
C
4
B
3
A
2
G
1
F# E
7 6
D
5
C
4
B
3
A
2
G
1
A
2
B
3
C
4
D
5
E
6
F# G
7 1
A
2
B
3
C
4
D
5
E
6
F# G
7 1
|
|
|
|
-5--4-----0-----------------------------------------------------------------0-----4--5--------5--------0-----------------------------------------------------0--------5--------------------5--------0-----------------------------------------0--------5--------------------------------7-----4-----0-----------------------0-----4-----7-----------------------------------------------5--------0-----------0--------5--------------------------------------------------------------5-----2--0--2-----5-----------------------------------
2 Octave Melodic G Scale from the root on the sixth string:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------0-----4--5--4-----0--------------------------------------------------------------0--------5-----------5--------0--------------------------------------------------0--------5-----------------------5--------0-----------------------------------0-----4-----7-----------------------------------7-----4-----0--------------------0--------5-----------------------------------------------------5--------0--------0--2-----5-----------------------------------------------------------------5-----2--0-
The above exercises could be varied by playing the F# on 5\7 instead of 4\4.
15
KEY OF D
The following three exercises are alternative ways of playing the open position exercises described for the key of D
in the Open Position Section.
Melodic D Scale - from the root on the first string:
D
1
E
2
D
1
C# B
7 6
A
5
G
4
F# E D C# B A G A B C# D E F# G A B C# D
3 2 1 7 6 5 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
|
|
|
|
-0-----0-----------------------------------------------------------------0-----5--------0-----------------------------------------------------0-----------------6--------0-----------------------------------------0--------6--------------------7-----4-----0-----------------------0-----4-----7-----------------------------------5--------0-----------0--------5--------------------------------------------------6-----2--0--2-----6--------------------------
Melodic D Scale - from the root on the fourth string, starting downward:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 5 6 7 1
----------------------------------------------0-----0--------------------------------------------------------------0--------5--------0--------------------------------------------------0--------6-----------6--------0-----------0-----------------------0-----4-----7-----------------------7-----4-----0--------0-----------0--------5-----------------------------------------5--------6-----2--0--2-----6-----------------------------------------------------
Melodic D Scale - from the root on the fourth string, starting upward:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 5 6 7 1
----------------------0-----0--------------------------------------------------------------0--------5--------0--------------------------------------------------0--------6-----------6--------0-----------------------------------0-----4-----7-----------------------7-----4-----0-----------------------0-----5-----------------------------------------5--------0-----------0-----------------------------------------------------------6-----2--0--2-----6-----
The above exercises could be varied by using the F# (3rd) on 5\7 instead of 4\4.
KEY OF C
The following four exercises are alternative ways of playing the open position exercises described for the key of C
Melodic C Scale - from the root on the third string, starting upward:
C
1
D
2
E
3
D
2
C
1
B
7
A
6
G
5
F
4
E
3
D
2
C
1
B
7
A
6
G
5
A
6
B
7
C
1
D
2
E
3
F
4
G
5
A
6
B
7
C
1
|
|
|
|
----0-----0-----------------------------------------------------------------------5--------0-----------------------------------------------------0-----5-----------5--------0-----------------------------------------0--------5--------------------7-----------0-----------------------0-----------7--------------------------------6--5--------0-----------0--------5--6-----------------------------------------------5-----2--0--2-----5-----------------------
Melodic C Scale - from the root on the third string, starting downward:
1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------------------------0-----0--------0-----------------------------------------------------0--------5--------5--------0-----------------------------------------0--------5-----------5--------7-----------0-----------------------0-----------7--------------------------------6--5--------0-----------0--------5--6-----------------------------------------------5-----2--0--2-----5-----------------------------------
16
Melodic C Scale - from the root on the sixth string, starting downward:
1 7 6 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------------------0-----0--------------------------------------------------------------0--------5--------0--------------------------------------------------0--------5-----------5--------0-----------------------------------0-----------7-----------------------7-----------0--------0-----------0--------5--6-----------------------------------6--5--------5-----2--0--2-----5-----------------------------------------------------5--
Melodic C Scale - from the root on the sixth string, starting upward:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 6 7 1
-------------------------0-----0--------------------------------------------------------------0--------5--------0--------------------------------------------------0--------5-----------5--------0-----------------------------------0-----------7-----------------------7-----------0-----------------------------5--6-----------------------------------6--5--------0-----------0-----5-----------------------------------------------------5-----2--0--2-----5--
KEY OF A
The following three exercises are alternative ways of playing the open position exercises described for the key of A
Melodic A Scale - from the root on the sixth string, starting upward:
A
1
B
2
C# D
3 4
E
5
F# G# A
6 7 1
B
2
C# D
3 4
E
5
F# E
6 5
D
4
C# B A G# F# E D C# B A
3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
|
|
|
|
-------------------------------0-----4-----0--------------------------------------------------------0--------5-----5--------0-----------------------------------------------------6-----------------6--------------------------------------0--------6--7-----------------------------7--6--------0--------------0--------5--7-----------------------------------------7--5--------0-----2-----6-----------------------------------------------------------6-----2-
Melodic A Scale - from the root on the fourth string, starting upward:
1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
----------0-----4-----0--------------------------------------------------------0--------5-----5--------0-----------------------------------------------------6-----------------6--------------------------------------------------7-----------------------------7--6---------0----------------0--------6--7--------------------------------------7--5--------0-----0--------5--7-----------------------------------------------------6-----2-----6-----------------
Melodic A Scale - from the root on the fourth string, starting downward:
1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------------0-----4-----0--------------------------------------------------------0--------5-----5--------0-----------------------------------------------------6-----------------6--------7--6---------0----------------0--------6--7-----------------------------7--------7--5--------0-----0--------5--7-----------------------------------------------------6-----2-----6-----------------------------------------------
17
Since the above scales only need two more notes to reach the octave root note, the following exercise is suggested.
2 Octave Melodic A Scale:
A
1
B
2
C# D
3 4
E
5
F# G# A
6 7 1
B
2
C# D
3 4
E
5
F# G# A
6 7 1
G# F# E D C# B A G# F# E D C# B A
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
|
|
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|
-------------------------------0--------6--7--6--------0--------------------------------------------------------0--------5--7-----------7--5--------0-----------------------------------------------------6-----------------------------6--------------------------------------0--------6--7-----------------------------------------7--6--------0--------------0--------5--7-----------------------------------------------------7--5--------0-----2-----6-----------------------------------------------------------------------6-----2--
Closed Positions
Closed position scales are the most difficult to play with accuracy and good tone at high speed. This is because they
consist of all closed moves, which results in a lot of bar movement. However, if they are learned at any speed, they
contribute significantly to knowledge of the neck. If they are mastered, they are the most useful of the scales,
because they can be used in any key. Playing these exercises well requires the ability to cleanly perform consecutive
closed moves. These exercises are probably the best way to acquire that skill.
The following associates the notes in the G scale with the positions I, IV, and V.
IV
3rd
5th
6---+---7---1--+---5---+---6--2---+---3---4--6---+---7---1--+---5---+---6--2---+---3---4---
V
7th
2---+---3---4--7---1---+---2--5---+---6---+--2---+---3---4--7---1---+---2--5---+---6---+---
I
12th
3---4---+---5---+---6--+---2---+---3---4---+--6---+---7---1---+---2--3---4---+---5---+---6--+---2---+---3---4---+--6---+---7---1---+---2---
Notes associated with the IV position are behind the bar (i.e., at or below the 5th fret), those associated with the V
position are in front of the bar (7th fret), and those associated with the I position are on both sides of the bar
(12th fret). Exercises will be constructed for the following sets of notes:
I Position:
I Position:
IV Position
V Position
IV-V Position:
all notes taken from in front of the bar (except the 7th).
all notes taken from behind the bar.
all notes taken from the IV fret and V fret (except the 3rd )
For each of the above, exercises will be described for which all the notes are within the position. This will be done
starting at each available root note, and starting upward and downward on the scale, where that is possible. These
exercises span less than two octaves. Some two octave exercises are also described, which require at least one
position shift.
I POSITION
The key of D will be used to describe scale exercises in the I position.
In front of the bar:
I
5th
7th
3---4---+---5---+---6--+---2---+---3---4---+--6---+---7---1---+---2--3---4---+---5---+---6--+---2---+---3---4---+--6---+---7---1---+---2---
18
Closed Position I Scale - from the root on the sixth string:

D
1
E
2
F# G
3 4
A
5
B
6
C# D
7 1
E
2
F# G
3 4
A
5
B
6
A
5
G
4
F# E D C# B A G F# E D
3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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----------------------------------7--9--7--------------------------------------------------------------7--8-----------8--7-----------------------------------------------6--7--9-----------------------9--7--6--------------------------------7--9-----------------------------------------9--7--------------------7--8-----------------------------------------------------8--7--------7--9-----------------------------------------------------------------9--7-
Notice that the only note that is taken from behind the bar is the 7th (C#).
Closed Position I Scale - from the root on the third string, starting upward:
1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-------------7--9--7--------------------------------------------------------------7--8-----------8--7--------------------------------------------------7--9-----------------------9--7--6-----------------------------------6--7--------------------------------------9--7-----------------------7--9--------------------------------------------------8--7-----------7--8--------------------------------------------------------------9--7--9--------------------
Closed Position I Scale - from the root on the third string, starting downward:
1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------------------------------7--9--7--------------------------------------------------------------7--8-----------8--7--------7--6-----------------------------------6--7--9-----------------------9--7--------9--7-----------------------7--9--------------------------------------------------8--7-----------7--8--------------------------------------------------------------9--7--9--------------------------------------------------
The following is a two octave exercise that includes a 5 fret shift (7-12) from position I to IV.
D
1
E
2
F# G
3 4
A
5
C# B A G F# E D C# B A G F# E D
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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----------------------------------7-----11-12-11----7--------------------------------------------------------------7--8-----12----------12----8--7-----------------------------------------------6--7--9-----------------------------------9--7--6--------------------------------7--9-----------------------------------------------------9--7--------------------7--8-----------------------------------------------------------------8--7--------7--9-----------------------------------------------------------------------------9--7--
Behind the bar:
B
6
C# D
7 1
E
2
F# G
3 4
A
5
B
6
C# D
7 1
I
5th
7th
3---4---+---5---+---6--+---2---+---3---4---+--6---+---7---1---+---2--3---4---+---5---+---6--+---2---+---3---4---+--6---+---7---1---+---2---
Closed Position I Scale - from the root on the sixth string:

D
1
E
2
F# G
3 4
A
5
B
6
C# D
7 1
E
2
F# G
3 4
A
5
G
4
F# E
3 2
D
1
C# B
7 6
C# D
7 1
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-------------------------------5--7--5--------------------------------------------------------------5--7-----------7--5-----------------------------------------------4--6--7-----------------------7--6--4--------------------------------5--7-----------------------------------------7--5--------------------5--7-----------------------------------------------------7--5-----------7-----------------------------------------------------------------7--6--7-
19
A
5
G
4
F# E
3 2
D
1
1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
----------5--7--5--------------------------------------------------------------5--7-----------7--5-----------------------------------------------------7-----------------------7--6--4-----------------------------------4--6--7-----------------------------------7--5-----------------------5--7--------------------------------------------------7--5-----------5--7--------------------------------------------------------------7--6--7-----------------------
1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------------------5--7--5--------------------------------------------------------------5--7-----------7--5-----7--6--4-----------------------------------4--6--7-----------------------7-----------7--5-----------------------5--7--------------------------------------------------7--5-----------5--7--------------------------------------------------------------7--6--7-----------------------------------------------
IV POSITION
The key of G will be used to describe scale exercises in the VI position.
IV
3rd
5th
6---+---7---1--+---5---+---6--2---+---3---4--6---+---7---1--+---5---+---6--2---+---3---4---
Notice that the 6th is accessible at either the second or fifth fret. The exercises presented use the 6th from the fifth
fret, but they can be varied by using the second fret instead. In differing playing situations, either of these
approaches may be more convenient, so the ability to interchange them is desirable.
Closed Position VI Scale - from the root on the first string:
G
1
F# E
7 6
D
5
C
4
B
3
A
2
G
1
F# E
7 6
D
5
C
4
B
3
C
4
D
5
E
6
F# G
7 1
A
2
B
3
C
4
D
5
E
6
F# G
7 1
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-5--4-----------------------------------------------------------------4--5--------5--3-----------------------------------------------------3--5--------------------5--4--2-----------------------------------2--4--5-----------------------------------5--4-----------------------4--5--------------------------------------------------5--3-----------3--5--------------------------------------------------------------5--4--5-----------------------------------
Closed Position VI Scale - from the root on the fourth string, starting downward:
1 7 6 5 4 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------------------------4--5--4--------------------------------------------------------------3--5-----------5--3-----------------------------------------------2--4--5-----------------------5--4--2-----5--4-----------------------4--5-----------------------------------------5--------5--3-----------3--5--------------------------------------------------------------5--4--5--------------------------------------------------------
Closed Position VI Scale - from the root on the fourth string, starting upward:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 4 5 6 7 1
-------------------4--5--4--------------------------------------------------------------3--5-----------5--3-----------------------------------------------2--4--5-----------------------5--4--2-----------------------------------5-----------------------------------------5--4-----------------------4--5--------------------------------------------------5--3-----------3--5--------------------------------------------------------------5--4--5--------------
20
V POSITION
The key of G will be used to describe scale exercises in the V position.
V
7th
2---+---3---4--7---1---+---2--5---+---6---+--2---+---3---4--7---1---+---2--5---+---6---+---
Notice that the 2nd is accessible at either the seventh or tenth fret. The exercises presented use the 2nd from the
seventh fret, but they can be varied by using the tenth fret instead. In differing playing situations, either of these
approaches may be more convenient, so the ability to interchange them is desirable.
Closed Position V Scale - from the root on the second string, starting upward:
G
1
A
2
B
3
A
2
G
1
F# E
7 6
D
5
C
4
B
3
A
2
G
1
F# E
7 6
C
5
E
6
F# G
7 1
A
2
B
3
C
4
D
5
E
6
F# G
7 1
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----7--9--7-----------------------------------------------------------------8-----------8--7-----------------------------------------------------7--8--------------------9--7-----------------------------------------7--9--------------------------------10-9--7-----------------------7--9--10----------------------------------------------8--7-----------7--8--------------------------------------------------------------9--7--9-----------------------------
Closed Position V Scale - from the root on the second string, starting downward:
1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------------------------7--9--7-----8--7-----------------------------------------------------7--8-----------8--------9--7-----------------------------------------7--9--------------------------------10-9--7-----------------------7--9--10----------------------------------------------8--7-----------7--8--------------------------------------------------------------9--7--9-----------------------------------------
Closed Position V Scale - from the root on the fifth string, starting downward:
1 7 6 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------------------7--9--7--------------------------------------------------------------7--8-----------8--7--------------------------------------------------7--9-----------------------9--7-----------------------------------7--9--10----------------------------------10-9--7-----8--7-----------7--8-----------------------------------------------------8--------9--7--9--------------------------------------------------------------
Closed Position V Scale - from the root on the fifth string, starting upward:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 6 7 1
-------------------------7--9--7--------------------------------------------------------------7--8-----------8--7--------------------------------------------------7--9-----------------------9--7-----------------------------------7--9--10----------------------------------10-9--7-----------------------8-----------------------------------------------------8--7-----------7--8--------------------------------------------------------------9--7--9--------
In the above four exercises, the highest note is a 3rd and the lowest a 5th. Four more variations can be constructed by
making the highest note the 4th and the lowest the 6th. These would have the same timing as those above.
21
The following is a two octave exercise that includes a 5 fret shift (7-12) from position V to I, and a 5 fret shift (1217) from position I to IV.
G
1
A
2
B
3
C
4
D
5
E
6
F# G
7 1
A
2
B
3
C
4
D
5
E
6
F# G
7 1
F# E D C B A G F# E D C B A G
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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-------------------------7--------12----16-17-16----12-------7--------------------------------------------7--8-----12-13----17----------17----13-12----8--7--------------------------------7--9-----------------------------------------------------9--7-----------------7--9--10----------------------------------------------------------------10-9--7-----8-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------8-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IV-V POSITION
The key of G will be used to describe scale exercises between the VI and V positions.
IV
V
5th
7th
+---7---1---+---2--5---+---6---+---7--+---3---4---+---5--+---+---1---+---2--5---7---6---+---7--+---3---4---+---5---
Closed Position VI-V Scale - from the root on the first string:
G
1
F# E
7 6
D
5
C
4
B
3
A
2
G
1
F# E
7 6
D
5
C
4
B
3
C
4
D
5
E
6
F# G
7 1
A
2
B
3
C
4
D
5
E
6
F# G
7 1
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-5-----------------------------------------------------------------------5-----7--5-----------------------------------------------------------5--7--------------7--5--4-----------------------------------------4--5--7-----------------------------7--5-----------------------------5--7--------------------------------------------7--5-----------------5--7--------------------------------------------------------7--5--4--5--7--------------------------------
Closed Position VI-V Scale - from the root on the fourth string, starting downward:
1 7 6 5 4 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------------5--------------------------------------------------------------------5--7-----7--5-----------------------------------------------------4--5--7-----------------7--5--4--------5-----------------------------5--7-----------------------------------7--5-----7--5-----------------5--7--------------------------------------------------------7--5--4--5--7-----------------------------------------------------
Closed Position VI-V Scale - from the root on the fourth string, starting upward:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 4 5 6 7 1
----------------------5--------------------------------------------------------------------5--7-----7--5-----------------------------------------------------4--5--7-----------------7--5--4--------------------------------------5--7-----------------------------------7--5-----------------------------5-----------------------------------------------7--5-----------------5--7--------------------------------------------------------7--5--4--5--7-----------
In the above two exercises, the highest note is the root and the lowest is a 3rd. Two more variations can be
constructed by making the highest note the 2nd and the lowest the 4th. These would have the same timing as those
above.
22
Diatonic Modes
Diatonic Scales and Modes are described briefly in an earlier section in which the following table is discussed. It
identifies, for a given key, the relative key from which the notes are used to form each diatonic mode:
Mode
Play notes from
# frets away from the root
Ionian (Major)
Dorian
Phrygian
Lydian
Mixolydian
Aeolean (Minor)
Locrian
I
VIIV+
V
IV
IIIII-
+10,
+8,
+7,
+5,
+3,
+1,
-2
-4
-5
-7
-9
-11
To play an Am Scale, one would use the notes in the major scale of the flatted III chord (III-), which is C. An Am
scale contains the notes from a C major scale, except the scale starts and ends on the A notes. The locations on the
resonator guitar neck of the notes in a C scale are identified in detail in other sections. An Am scale exercise can be
derived from any of the C Major Scale exercises:
2 Octave Am exercise:
A
1
B
2
C D
3- 4
E
5
F G A
6- 7- 1
B
2
C D
3- 4
E
5
F G A
6- 7- 1
G F E D C B A G F E D C B A
7- 6- 5 4 3- 2 1 7- 6- 5 4 3- 2 1
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-------------------------------0--------5--7--5--------0--------------------------------------------------------0--1-----5--6-----------6--5-----1--0--------------------------------------------0--2-----------------------------------------2--0-----------------------------0--2--3-----------------------------------------------------3--2--0--------------0--1-----------------------------------------------------------------------1--0-----2-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-
To play an Em Scale, one would use the notes in the major scale of the flatted III chord, G, with the scale starting
and ending on the E notes.
Open Position Em exercise:
E
1
F# G A
2 3- 4
B
5
C D E
6- 7- 1
D C B
7- 6- 5
A
4
G F# E
3- 2 1
D C B A G A B C D E
7- 6- 5 4 3- 4 5 6- 7- 1
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-------------------0--2--0-------------------------------------------------------------0--1-----------1--0-------------------------------------------------0--2-----------------------2--0-------------------------------------2--4-----------------------------------4--2--0-----------------------0--2-------------------------------------------------1--0-----------0--1-------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2-------------
To play an A Mixolydian Scale, one would use the major scale of the IV chord, D, with the scale starting and ending
on the A notes.
2 Octave A Mixolydian exercise:
A
1
B
2
C# D
3 4
E
5
F# G A
6 7- 1
B
2
C# D
3 4
E
5
F# G A
6 7- 1
G F# E D C# B A G F# E D C# B A
7- 6 5 4 3 2 1 7- 6 5 4 3 2 1
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-------------------------------0--------5--7--5--------0--------------------------------------------------------0--2-----5--7-----------7---5----2--0--------------------------------------------0--2-----------------------------------------2--0-----------------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------------4--2--0--------------0--2-----------------------------------------------------------------------2--0-----2------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-
23
To play a G Dorian Scale, one would use the major scale of the flatted VII chord, F, with the scale starting and
ending on the G notes.
2 Octave G Dorian exercise:
G
1
A
2
Bb C
3- 4
D
5
E
6
F G
7- 1
A
2
Bb C
3- 4
D
5
E
6
F G
7- 1
F E D C Bb A G F E D C Bb A G
7- 6 5 4 3- 2 1 7- 6 5 4 3- 2 1
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----------------------------------0--------5--------0-----------------------------------------------------------------1-----5--6-----6--5-----1-----------------------------------------------------0--2--3-----------------------------3--2--0-----------------------------------0--2--3-----------------------------------------------3--2--0-----------------------1-----------------------------------------------------------------1-----------0--2--3-----------------------------------------------------------------------3--2--0
24
Triplet Exercises
Having learned a scale using exercises with 4/4 timing, additional benefit can be gotten from doing triplet exercises.
In a triplet exercise, each note in the scale is an eighth note triplet. Devising exercises that makes rhythmic sense is
important. One can experiment to find scale sequences that feel right. For Open Position exercises, using an
exercise that consists of 19 notes is suggested:
Triplet Scale in G - from the root on the sixth string, starting upward:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0-----------------------------------------------------------------0--2-----2--0--------------------------------------------------0--2--4-----------------4--2--0-----------------------------------0--1-----------------------------------1--0-----------------------0--2-----------------------------------------------2--0-----------------
For 2 Octave exercises, it makes sense to play two octaves in one direction and one in the opposite. There are four
versions of this exercise, as is illustrated below for the key of G.
2 Octave Triplet Scale in G - from the root on the sixth string, starting upward:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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----------------------------------0-----4--5--4-----0-----------------------------------------------0--1-----5-----------5-----1--0-----------------------------------0--2-----------------------------------2--0--------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------------------0--1--------------------------------------------------------------0--2--------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave Triplet Scale in G - from the root on the first string, starting downward:
1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
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-5--4-----0--------------------------------------------------------------------5-----1--0--------------------------------------------------------------------------2--0-----------------------------------------0--------------------------------4--2--0-----------------------0--2--4--------------------------------------------1--0-----------0--1-----------------------------------------------------------2--0--2--------------------------
2 Octave Triplet Scale in G - from the root on the third string, starting upward:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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-------------0-----4--5--4-----0-----------------------------------------------0--1-----5-----------5-----1--0-----------------------------------0--2-----------------------------------2--0--------------------------------------------------------------------------4--2--0--------------------------------------------------------------------------1--0--------------------------------------------------------------------------2--0--------
2 Octave Triplet Scale in G - from the root on the third string, starting downward:
1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
|
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-------------------------------------------------------0-----4--5--------------------------------------------------------0--1-----5--------------0-----------------------------------------0--2-----------------------------4--2--0-----------------------0--2--4--------------------------------------------1--0-----------0--1-----------------------------------------------------------2--0--2-----------------------------------------------
Using triplet timing for melodic exercises is also a beneficial practice technique.
25
Scale Patterns
Scale patterns are arrangements of notes in the scale. They are constructed by defining a pattern of scale degrees,
and then a second pattern by adding 1 to each degree, then adding 2, 3, etc. For example, consider the scale pattern
1-2-3-1 in the key of G, which are the notes G A B G. The exercise would consist of playing:
1-2-3-1, 2-3-4-2, 3-4-5-3, etc.
which corresponds to the notes:
G A B G A B C A B C D B, etc
Descending versions of scale patters are formed by subtracting numbers. In the specialized arithmetic used here,
there are only numbers 1 through 7 and the addition and subtraction operations have the following, somewhat
peculiar behavior: 7 + 1 = 1 and 1 1 = 7. This corresponds to wrapping around the end of an octave.
When practicing a scale pattern, one becomes familiar with all of the various note changes contained in that pattern,
including comfortable ones and those that are (initially) awkward. So when any of these moves are encountered in a
tune or are desired during improvisation, they will be familiar and playable. More familiarity with a given key is
gained as each new pattern exercise is mastered.
There are many possible scale patterns, limited only by ones imagination. In this section, a few of the possibilities
are presented. The patterns that are covered are as follows:
2 Note Patterns: 1-3, 1-6, 1-2, 1-7
4 Note Patterns: 1-2-3-1, 1-3-2-1, 1-7-6-1, 1-6-7-1
3 Note Patterns: 1-2-1, 1-7-1, 1-3-1, 1-6-1, 1-2-3, 3-2-1
The tablature throughout this section describes exercises in the key of G as an illustration. The scale degrees in the
tablature that are underscored, indicate the beginning of each cycle of the pattern. Although exercises are not
presented for other keys, it should be easy to create them, after becoming skilled with the standard scale exercises
for the desired key.
Because patterns consist of multiple notes, they may span positions shifts. So in order to reduce radical bar
movement, it may be necessary to play additional notes in the starting position before the shift and/or additional
notes after the shift that were not used in the standard scale exercise. One may find a more comfortable strategy for
shifting than is presented below. In general, it is beneficial to practice variations of the exercises that use different
position shift strategies.
It is not uncommon to find whole sections of scale pattern exercises contained in tunes or songs. For example, the
first three cycles of a descending 1-2-3-1 Pattern in the key of G are part of the melody for Blackberry Blossom:
1 2 3 1 7 1 2 7 6 7 1 6 5
If one were to practice the 8 note pattern 1-7-6-5-4-5-6-1, he would recognize that the first four cycles contain most
of the melody for the beginning of Fly Me to the Moon.
26
2 NOTE PATTERNS
2 Octave Ascending 1-3 Pattern in G:
1 3 2 4 3 5 4 6 5 7 6 1 7 2 1 3 2 4 3 5 4 6 5 7 6 1 7 2 1
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----------------------------------------------------------0-----2--0--4-----5-----7--------------------------------------------------0-----1--0-----1-----------5-----7-----8-----------------------------------0-----2--0-----2-----------------------------------------------------0-----2--0--4--2-----4-----------------------------------------------------0-----1--0-----1--------------------------------------------------------------------0-----2--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave Descending 1-3 Pattern in G:

1 3 7 2 6 1 5 7 4 6 3 5 2 4 1 3 7 2 6 1 5 7 4 6 3 5 2 4 1
----9-----7-----5--0--4-----------0-----------------------------------------------------8-----7-----5--------------5--0--------1-----0-----------------------------------------------------------------5-----------2-----0--------2-----0-----------------------------------------------------------------------------4-----2-----0--4--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5-----0-----1-----------------------------------------------------------------------5-----0-----2-----0--

1 6 7 5 6 4 5 3 4 2 3 1 2 7 1 6 7 5 6 4 5 3 4 2 3 1 2 7 1
-5-----4--0--2-----0-----------------------------------------------------------------------5-----------1-----0--1-----0-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-----0--2-----0-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------4-----2--4--0--2-----0-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1-----0--1-----0-----1-----------------------------------------------------------------------------2-----0--------0--
In the above exercise, a rest is in place of the final 7th because it is below the lowest note on the neck. Bar movement
can be reduced by playing the third cycle of pattern (6 - 4) using 2\5 - 3\5 instead of 1\2 - 2\1.
2 Octave Ascending 1-6 Pattern in G:
1 6 2 7 3 1 4 2 5 3 6 4 7 5 1 6 2 7 3 1 4 2 5 3 6 4 7 5 1
-------------------------------------------------------------------0-----5-----4--0--5--------------------------------------------------------0-----1--------0-----5-----------------------------------------------------0-----2--------0-----2-----------------------------------------------0-----------4--0-----2-----4-----------------------------------------------0-----1--------0--5--------------------------------------------------------0-----2--------0-----2-----------5-----------------------------------------------------
In the above exercise, a rest is in place of the first 6th and 7ths because they are below the lowest note on the neck.
1 2 7 1 6 7 5 6 4 5 3 4 2 3 1 2 7 1 6 7 5 6 4 5 3 4 2 3 1
----7-----5-----4--0--2-----0-----------------------------------------------------------8-----7-----5-----------1-----0--1-----0-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-----0--2-----0-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------4-----2--4--0--2-----0-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1-----0--1-----0-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-----0--
The ascending 1-2 pattern is the same as an ascending scale where each note is repeated twice:
1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 11
27

1 6 7 5 6 4 5 3 4 2 3 1 2 7 1 6 7 5 6 4 5 3 4 2 3 1 2 7 1
-5-----4--0--2-----0-----------------------------------------------------------------------5-----------1-----0--1-----0-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-----0--2-----0-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------4-----2--4--0--2-----0-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1-----0--1-----0-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-----0--2-----0-
In the above exercise, a rest is in place of the last 7th because it is below the lowest note on the neck.
The descending 1-7 pattern is a descending scale where each note is repeated twice:
1 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1
The following illustrates the similarities between some of the 2 note pattern exercises:
ascending 1-3:
ascending 1-7:
1 3 2 4 3 5 4 6 5 7 6 1 7 2 1
1 7 2 1 3 2 4 3 5 4 6 5 7 6 1
descending 1-6:
1 6 7 5 6 4 5 3 4 2 3 1 2 7 1
descending 1-2: 1 2 7 1 6 7 5 6 4 5 3 4 2 3 1
Notice that the ascending 1-3 pattern visits the same notes as the 7-1 ascending pattern, shifted by 3 notes, and that
corresponding notes occur on the opposite beat (downbeat versus upbeat). The same is true for the descending 1-6
and 1-2 patterns. Because there are subtle rhythmic differences, and right hand techniques are likely to vary, it is
beneficial to practice each of these patterns despite their similarities.
28
4 NOTE PATTERNS
2 Octave Ascending 1-2-3-1 Pattern in G:
1 2 3 1 2 3 4 2 3 4 5 3 4 5 6 4 5 6 7 5 6 7 1 6 7 1 2 7 -->
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0--------0--2----------------------------------0--------0--2-----0--2--4--0--2--4-----2--4--------4-------0--------0--1-----0--1-----0--1--------1-------------------------------------0--2-----0--2--------2------------------------------------------------------------1
2 3 4 2 3 4 5 3 4 5 6 4 5 6 7 5 6 7 1 6 7 1 2 7 1
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-------------------------------0--------0--2-----0-----4--0-----4--5-----------7-------------0--------0--1-----0--1-----0--1--------1-----5--------5--------5--7--8-----7--8-0--2-----0--2--------2----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are always possible variations in the way notes can be accessed for exercises that go above the fourth fret on
the higher strings. For example, the root at the sixth note in the last measure could be played at 1\5 instead of 2\8.
2 Octave Descending 1-2-3-1 Pattern in G:
1 2 3 1 7 1 2 7 6 7 1 6 5 6 7 5 4 5 6 4 3 4 5 3 2 3 4 2 -->
----7--9-----------7--------4--5-----0-----4--0-----0--2-----------0----------------8--------8--7--8-----7--5--------5-----5--------1--------1--0--1-----0-----0--1----------------------------------------------------------------------------2--------2---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1 2 3 1 7 1 2 7 6 7 1 6 5 6 7 5 4 5 6 4 3 4 5 3 2 3 4 2 1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0-------------------------------------------------------------------------------0--2-----0-----0--2-----------0-------------------------------------------------------------------4--------4--2--4-----2--0--2--4--2-----0--2-----------0-------------------------------------------------------------------1--------1--0--1-----0-----0--1-------------------------------------------------------------------------------2--------2--0-

1 3 2 1 2 4 3 2 3 5 4 3 4 6 5 4 5 7 6 5 6 1 7 6 7 2 1 7 -->
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0-----------2--0-------------------------------0-----------2--0-----0--4--2--0--2-----4--2--4--------4----0-----------1--0-----0-----1--0--1--------1-------------------------------------0-----2--0--2--------2------------------------------------------------------------1
2 4 3 2 3 5 4 3 4 6 5 4 5 7 6 5 6 1 7 6 7 2 1 7 1
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----------------------------0-----------2--0-----0--4-----0-----5--4--------7--8-----8----0-----------1--0-----0-----1--0--1--------1--------5-----5--------5--7--------7----0-----2--0--2--------2----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bar movement can be reduced in the third measure by playing the 6th at 5\5 instead of 4\2.
29

1 3 2 1 7 2 1 7 6 1 7 6 5 7 6 5 4 6 5 4 3 5 4 3 2 4 3 2 -->
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----9--7--------7--5--------5--4-----0--4-----0-----2--0--------0-------------------8--------8--7--------7--5--------5--------5-----1--------1--0-----1--0-----1--0----------------------------------------------------------------------------2--------2---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
7 2 1 7 6 1 7 6 5 7 6 5 4 6 5 4 3 5 4 3 2 4 3 2 1
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------0-----2--0-----2--0--------0----------------------------------------------------------------------4--------4--2-----4--2--0--4--2--0-----2--0--------0----------------------------------------------------------------------1--------1--0-----1--0-----1--0-------------------------------------------------------------------------------2--------2--0-

1 7 6 1 2 1 7 2 3 2 1 3 4 3 2 4 5 4 3 5 6 5 4 6 7 6 5 7 -->
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0--------0-----0--------4-----0--4-------------------------0--------0--1--0-----1-----1--0-----5--------5-----5-------0--------0--2--0-----2-----2--0-----------2-----------------------5---------------1
2 1 7 2 3 2 1 3 4 3 2 4 5 4 3 5 6 5 4 6 7 6 5 7 1
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-------------------------------------------------0--------0-----0--------4-----0--4--5-------------------------0--------0--1--0-----1-----1--0-----5--------5-----5----------0--------0--2--0-----2-----2--0-----------2-----------------------5----------------------4--------------4-------------------------------------------------------------------------5---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the above exercise, a rest is in place of the first 7th and 6ths because they are below the lowest note on the neck.
The brief use of melodic moves used to acquire the 4th and 6th could be varied by acquiring them from the first and
fourth strings, as is done in the next exercise. Both approaches are relatively easy to play, and it is recommended
that both be practiced.
1 7 6 1 7 6 5 7 6 5 4 6 5 4 3 5 4 3 2 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 7 2 -->
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-5--4-----5--4-----0--4--2--0--------0--------0-------------------------------------------5--------5--------------1--5-----1--0-----1--0-----1--0--------0-------------------------------------------------------------------2--------2--0-----2--0-----2-------------------------------------------------------------------------------4-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
7 6 5 7 6 5 4 6 5 4 3 5 4 3 2 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 7 2 1
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0--------0-------------------------------------------------------------------------------4--2-----4--2--0--4--2--0-----2--0--------0----------------------------------------------------------------------1--------1--0-----1--0-----1--0--------0----------------------------------------------------------------------2--------2--0-----2--0-----2--0-
30

1 6 7 1 7 5 6 7 6 4 5 6 5 3 4 5 4 2 3 4 3 1 2 3 2 7 1 2 -->
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-5-----4--5--4--0-----4--------0-----0--------0----------------------------------------5--------------5-----5--------5-----0--1-----1-----0--1--0--------0----------------------------------------5-----------------------2-----------0--2-----2-----0--2----------------------------------------------------------------------------4----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
7 5 6 7 6 4 5 6 5 3 4 5 4 2 3 4 3 1 2 3 2 7 1 2 1
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0--------0-------------------------------------------------------------------------------2--4-----4--0--2--4--2-----0--2--0--------0-------------------------------------------------------------------1-----------0--1-----1-----0--1--0--------0-------------------------------------------------------------------2-----------0--2-----2-----0--2--0-
1 6 7 1 2 7 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 2 3 4 5 3 4 5 6 4 5 6 7 5 6 7 -->
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0--------0--2-----0--2--4--0--2--4-------------------------0--------0--1-----0--1-----0--1--------1-------------------0--------0--2-----0--2-----0--2--------2------------------------------------------1
2 7 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 2 3 4 5 3 4 5 6 4 5 6 7 5 6 7 1
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-------------------------------------------------0--------0--------0-----4--0-----4--5-------------------------0--------0--1-----0--1-----0--1-----5--------5--------5-------0--------0--2-----0--2-----0--2--------2-----------------------5-------------------------2--4--------4--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the above exercise, a rest is in place of the first 6th and 7th because they are below the lowest note on the neck.
The pattern exercises described so far have been in the key of G, in which covering two octaves only requires
reaching the fifth fret on the first string. Other keys may require much higher frets. To avoid the higher frets, single
octave exercises can be performed. The following two exercises are samples.
1 Octave Ascending 1-2-3-1 Pattern in D:
1 2 3 1 2 3 4 2 3 4 5 3 4 5 6 4 5 6 7 5 6 7 1 6 7 1 2 7 1
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-------------------------------------------------------------------0--------0--2-----0-------------------------------------------0--------0--2-----0--2-----0--2--------2----------------------0--------0--2-----0--2-----0--2--------2----------------------------0--2--4--0--2--4-----2--4--------4--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31
1 Octave Descending 1-6-7-1 Pattern in C:

1 6 7 1 7 5 6 7 6 4 5 6 5 3 4 5 4 2 3 4 3 1 2 3 2 7 1 2 1
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1-----0--1--0--------0-------------------------------------------------------------------2-----------0--2-----2-----0--2--0--------0-------------------------------------------------------------------3-----------2--3-----3--0--2--3--2-----0--2--0--------0-------------------------------------------------------------------1-----------0--1-----1---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following are two exercises are samples of 4 Note Patterns using melodic techniques.
1 Octave Descending Melodic 1-2-3-1 Pattern in D:
1 2 3 1 7 1 2 7 6 7 1 6 5 6 7 5 4 5 6 4 3 4 5 3 2 3 4 2 1
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-0-----5--0-----0--------------0----------------------------------------------------------4--------------4-----0--------0-----0--------------0-------------------------------------------6--------6-----6--------------6-----0--------0-----0--------------0-------------------------------------------7--------7-----7--------------7--------4--------0-------------------------------------------------------------7--------7--5--------5------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave Descending Melodic 1-7-6-1 Pattern in G:

1 7 6 1 7 6 5 7 6 5 4 6 5 4 3 5 4 3 2 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 7 2 -->
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-5--4-----5--4-----0--4-----0--------0--------0-------------------------------------------5--------5--------5--------5--------0--------0--------0--------0-------------------------------------------5--------5--------5--------5--------0--------0-------------------------------------------------------------7--------7--------7--------7-------------------------------------------------------------------------------7--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
7 6 5 7 6 5 4 6 5 4 3 5 4 3 2 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 7 2 1
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0--------0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4-----0--4-----0--------0--------0-------------------------------------------7--5--------5--------5--------5--------0-----1--0-----1--0--------0----------------------------------------------5--------5--------------2--------2--0-----2--0-----2--0-
The 4 Note Patterns described above span three consecutive notes in the scale. Other possible patterns may include a
wider span, such as 1-2-3-4 or 1-5-3-1.
32
3 NOTE PATTERNS
2 Octave Ascending 1-2-1 Pattern in G:
G
1
A
2
G
1
G
1
A
2
G
1
A
2
B
3
A
2
B
3
C
4
B
3
C
4
D
5
C
4
D E D E F# E F# G F#
5 6 5 6 7 6 7 1 7 -->
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0----------------------------------0-----0-----0-----4-----4-----4-------------0-----0--1--0--1-----1-----5-----5-----5----------0--2--0--2-----2---------------------------------------------A B A B C B C D C D E D E F# E F# G F# G
2 3 2 3 4 3 4 5 4 5 6 5 6 7 6 7 1 7 1
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-------------------------------0-----0-----0-----4-----4--5--4----------------0-----0--1--0--1-----1-----5-----5-----5-------------0--2--0--2-----2----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave Descending 1-2-1 Pattern in G:

1 2 1 7 1 7 6 7 6 5 6 5 4 5 4 3 4 3 2 3 2 -->
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----7-----------------4-----0--2--0-----0----------------------8-----8--7--8--7--5-----5-----------1-----1--0--1--0-----0----------------------------------------------------------2-----2------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
7 1 7 6 7 6 5 6 5 4 5 4 3 4 3 2 3 2 1
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0--2--0-----0-------------------------------------------------------------4-----4-----4-----0--2--0-----0-------------------------------------------5-----5-----------1-----1--0--1--0-----0-------------------------------------------------------------2-----2--0-

1 7 1 2 1 2 3 2 3 4 3 4 5 4 5 6 5 6 7 6 7 -->
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0-----0--2--0--2--4-----4-------------------0-----0--1--0--1-----1-----------------5----0-----0--2--0--2-----2---------------------------------------1
2 1 2 3 2 3 4 3 4 5 4 5 6 5 6 7 6 7 1
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-------------------------------------0-----0-----0-----4-----4--5-------------------0-----0--1--0--1-----1-----5-----5-----5-------0-----0--2--0--2-----2----------------------------------------------4-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the above exercise, a rest is in place of the first 7th because it is below the lowest note on the neck.
33

1 7 1 7 6 7 6 5 6 5 4 5 4 3 4 3 2 3 2 1 2 -->
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-5--4--5--4-----4-----0-----0-----0----------------------------------------5-----5-----5-----1-----1--0--1--0-----0----------------------------------------------------------2-----2--0--2------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
7 6 7 6 5 6 5 4 5 4 3 4 3 2 3 2 1 2 1
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0-----0-------------------------------------------------------------4-----4-----4-----0-----0-----0-------------------------------------------5-----5-----5-----1-----1--0--1--0-----0-------------------------------------------------------------2-----2--0--2--0-

1 3 1 2 4 2 3 5 3 4 6 4 5 7 5 6 1 6 7 2 7 -->
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0--------2-------------------------0--------2-----0--4--0--2-----2--4-----4----0--------1-----0-----0--1-----1----------------------------0-----0--2-----2---------------------------------------------1
2 4 2 3 5 3 4 6 4 5 7 5 6 1 6 7 2 7 1
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----------------------0--------------0--4--0-----5--------7----------0--------1-----0-----0-----5--------------5-----5--7-----7--8-0-----0--2-----2-----------5-----5----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 3 1 7 2 7 6 1 6 5 7 5 4 6 4 3 5 3 2 4 2 -->
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----9--------7--------5-----0--4--0--------------0-------------8-----8--7-----7--5-----5--------------5-----0-----0-----1----------------------------------------5-----5-----------2-----2------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
7 2 7 6 1 6 5 7 5 4 6 4 3 5 3 2 4 2 1
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---------------------------------------------------------------------0-------------------------------------------------------------0-----0-----2--------0----------------------------------------------------4-----4--2-----2--0--4--0-----2--------0----------------------------------------------------1-----1--0-----0-----1-------------------------------------------------------------2-----2--0-
The brief use of melodic moves in the beginning of the second measure requires less bar movement than playing the
4-6-4 sequence in the open position (2\1-1\2-2\1). The latter approach, however, is a good variation of the exercise.
34

1 6 1 2 7 2 3 1 3 4 2 4 5 3 5 6 4 6 7 5 7 -->
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0-----0-----------4--0--4-------------------0-----0--1-----1-----0-----5-----5----------0-----0--2-----2-----0--------2-----------------5------------1
2 7 2 3 1 3 4 2 4 5 3 5 6 4 6 7 5 7 1
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-------------------------------------0-----0-----------4--0--4--5-------------------0-----0--1-----1-----0-----5-----5-------------0-----0--2-----2-----0--------2-----------------5-------------------2--------4--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the above exercise, a rest is in place of the first 6th and 7th because they are below the lowest note on the neck.
1 6 1 7 5 7 6 4 6 5 3 5 4 2 4 3 1 3 2 7 2 -->
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-5-----5--4--0--4-----------0-----0-------------------------------5--------------5-----5-----0-----1-----1--0-----0-------------------------------5-----------------2--------0-----2-----2----------------------------------------------------------4-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
7 5 7 6 4 6 5 3 5 4 2 4 3 1 3 2 7 2 1
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0-----0-------------------------------------------------------------2-----4--0--4-----------0-----0-------------------------------------------------5-----5-----0-----1-----1--0-----0----------------------------------5-----------------2--------0-----2-----2--0-
1 2 3 2 3 4 3 4 5 4 5 6 5 6 7 6 7 1 7 1 2 -->
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0--2-------------------------0-----0--2--0--2--4-----4--0--4-------------0-----0--1--0--1-----1-----------------5----------------0--2-----2---------------------------------------------------1
2 3 4 3 4 5 4 5 6 5 6 7 6 7 1 7 1 2 1
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-------------------------0-----0--2--0-----4-----4--5--------7----------0-----0--1--0--1-----1-----------5-----5--------7--8-----8-0--2-----2----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35

1 2 3 7 1 2 6 7 1 5 6 7 4 5 6 3 4 5 2 3 4 -->
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----7--9--------7-----4--5--0-----4-----0-----------0----------8--------7--8-----5-----------5-----------5--0--1--------0--1-------------------------------------5-----------------2------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
7 1 2 6 7 1 5 6 7 4 5 6 3 4 5 2 3 4 1
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------------------------------------------------------------------------0----------------------------------------------------------0--2--------0--2--------0-------------------------------------------------4--------2--4-----0-----4-----0-----------0-------------------------------------------5-----------5--0--1--------0--1----------------------------------------5-----------------2--------0-
Playing the 4th at the beginning of the second measure at 3\5 requires a closed move that jumps from the first string
to the third. Although this is difficult, it is easier than playing the 6th at 2\1, which would require a 3 fret closed
move.
1 3 2 2 4 3 3 5 4 4 6 5 5 7 6 6 1 7 7 2 1 -->
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0--------2--0----------------------0--------2--0--0--4--2--2-----4--4----------0--------1--0--0-----1--1----------------------------------0-----2--2---------------------------------------------------1
2 4 3 3 5 4 4 6 5 5 7 6 6 1 7 7 2 1 1
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----------------------0--------2--0--0--4--------5--------7----------0--------1--0--0-----1--1--------------5--5-----7--7-----8--8-0-----2--2----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 3 2 7 2 1 6 1 7 5 7 6 4 6 5 3 5 4 2 4 3 -->
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----9--7-----7--5-----5--4--0--4-----------0-----0-------------8--------7--------5--------------5-----5-----0-----1-----1--0-------------------------------------5-----------------2------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
7 2 1 6 1 7 5 7 6 4 6 5 3 5 4 2 4 3 1
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---------------------------------------------------------------------0-------------------------------------------------------------0-----2-----2--0-----0----------------------------------------------------4--------2-----4--0--4-----------0-----0-------------------------------------------------5-----5-----0-----1-----1--0----------------------------------------5-----------------2--------0-
The melodic section at the beginning of the second and fourth measures requires less bar movement than playing the
6-4-6 sequences in the open position (e.g., 1\2, 2\1, 1\2).
36
SCALE EXERCISES BY KEY

Exercises will be presented in this section for all 12 keys. Exercises described in previous sections will be repeated
here, in an attempt to provide a complete reference section for each key. Keys are presented roughly in order of ease
with which they can be played, which is as follows: G, D, C, A, F, Bb, Eb, E, B, F#, Ab, Db.
Types of Exercises
This section will present two types of exercises: Open/Melodic and 2 Octave/2 Octave Melodic. Each exercise has a
name which contains all the information needed to define the notes in the exercise and the order they are played.
OPEN/MELODIC EXERCISES
Open exercises are constructed so that all notes are consecutive and played within the first four frets. These
exercises consist of 25 notes, which are 3 complete measures, ending on the down beat of the fourth. Thus, the
timing feels resolved. There will be many cases where variations to an exercise can be made by changing the span
(highest and lowest notes) within the position, but maintaining the same number of notes. The following naming
convention is use to define open exercises:
Scale-type Key (Span) - from Start Direction
Scale-type
Key
Span
Start
Direction
Open or Melodic.
Key of the exercise.
Range of notes in the exercise (lowest, highest).
First note of the exercise, string\fret .
Initial direction on the scale, upward or downward.
The following is an example of the name of an Open exercise:

Open C (5, 3) - from 2\1 downward
This is an Open scale in the key of C which begins on the second string, first fret, goes down the scale to the 5 th on
the bottom string, reverses direction an goes up to the 3rd on the top string, reverses again and returns to the original
note. The following notes are visited:
C
1
B
7
A
6
G
5
F
4
E
3
D
2
C
1
B
7
A
6
G
5
A
6
B
7
C
1
D
2
E
3
F
4
G
5
A
6
B
7
C
1
D
2
E
3
D
2
C
1
Melodic variations are provided for each Open exercise, where it is feasible. In these, the same exact set of notes is
played, but melodic moves are substituted for open position moves wherever possible. The melodic variation of the
above exercise is named as follows.
Melodic C (5, 3) - from 3\5 downward
2 OCTAVE/2 OCTAVE MELODIC EXERCISES
These exercises consist of 29 notes, which are 3 complete measures, ending on the third beat of the fourth measure.
The naming convention for 2 Octave exercises is as follows:
Scale-type Key - from Start Direction
Scale-type
Key
Start
2 Octave or 2 Octave Melodic.

Key of the exercise.
First note of the exercise, string\fret.
37
Direction
Optional Initial direction on the scale, upward or downward.
The highest and lowest notes of a 2 Octave exercise are always the root, so there is no need to specify a span. There
are three roots in a 2 Octave exercise. If the starting note is the lowest or highest root, the starting direction is
implicit, and need not be specified. The following are the names of all the possible variations of 2 Octave exercises
in the key of C:
2 Octave C - from 5\1
2 Octave C - from 1\10
2 Octave C - from 2\1 upward
2 Octave C - from 2\1 downward
As in the case of Open exercises, Melodic variations are presented for 2 Octave exercises whenever feasible.
Fret Board Diagrams
At the beginning of the subsection for each key, the notes included in the scale are identified. This is followed by
three fret board diagrams:
The first fret board diagram identifies all the locations on the neck for each note of the scale, by letter
name. The primary notes of the scale (root, 3rd, and 5th ) are in bold.
The second fret board diagram identifies all the locations on the neck for each note of the scale, by scale
degree. Most of the notes are in grey, but some are in bold black. The notes in bold represent the path of
2 octave scale exercises.
The third fret board diagram presents a series of fret board sections for the open, I, IV, and V positions.
Notes that are preferred for open and closed exercises are in bold, and notes that can provide alternative
access are in grey.
The position diagrams are intended to illustrate the shape of the note pattern for each position. The shape of the
pattern for the open position varies by key. The shape of the pattern for each closed position is the same for all keys.
On the open position diagrams, the notes in bold represent the path of open position scale exercises.
By comparing the second diagram with the pertinent positional diagrams, one can visualize the strategy for shifting
position during two octave scale exercises. One can also use these diagrams to develop alternative shift strategies.
38
Exercises for the Key of G

Scale:
Fret Board:
1
G
2
A
3
B
4
C
5
D
6
E
7
F#
3rd
5th
7th
9th
12th
D---+---E---+---F#--G---+---A---+---B---C---+---D---+---E
B---C---+---D---+---E---+---F#--G---+---A---+---B---C---+
G---+---A---+---B---C---+---D---+---E---+---F#--G---+---A
D---+---E---+---F#--G---+---A---+---B---C---+---D---+---E
B---C---+---D---+---E---+---F#--G---+---A---+---B---C---+
G---+---A---+---B---C---+---D---+---E---+---F#--G---+---A
IV
V
I
5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6
3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+
1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6
3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+
1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2
Open
2rd
5---+---6---+---7
3---4---+---+---3
1---+---2---+---+
5---+---6---+---7
3---4---+---+---3
1---+---2---+---+
IV
3rd
5th
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
V
7th
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
-I
12th
3---4---+---5
+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1
3---4---+---5
+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1
I12th
+---5---+---6
+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
+---5---+---6
+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
Open G (1, 6) - from 6\0:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------0--2--0-------------------------------------------------------------0--1-----------1--0-------------------------------------------------0--2-----------------------2--0----------------------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------4--2--0-------------------0--1-----------------------------------------------------1--0-------0--2-----------------------------------------------------------------2--0-
Open G (1, 6) - from 3\0 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-------------0--2--0--------------------------------------------------------------0--1-----------1--0--------------------------------------------------0--2-----------------------2--0-----------------------------------------0-----------------------------------4--2--0-----------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------1--0-----------0--1--------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2--------------------
Open G (1, 6) - from 3\0 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------------------------------0--2--0--------------------------------------------------------------0--1-----------1--0--------0-----------------------------------------0--2-----------------------2--0-----4--2--0-----------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------1--0-----------0--1--------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2--------------------------------------------------
2 Octave G - from 6\0:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------0-----4--5--4-----0--------------------------------------------------------------0--1-----5-----------5-----1--0--------------------------------------------------0--2-----------------------------------2--0-----------------------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------4--2--0--------------------0--1-----------------------------------------------------------------1--0--------0--2-----------------------------------------------------------------------------2--0
39
2 Octave Melodic G - from 6\0:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------0-----4--5--4-----0--------------------------------------------------------------0--------5-----------5--------0--------------------------------------------------0--------5-----------------------5--------0-----------------------------------0-----4-----7-----------------------------------7-----4-----0--------------------0--------5-----------------------------------------------------5--------0--------0--2-----5-----------------------------------------------------------------5-----2--0-
2 Octave G - from 1\5:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-5--4-----0-----------------------------------------------------------------0-----4--5--------5-----1--0-----------------------------------------------------0--1-----5--------------------------2--0-----------------------------------------0--2--------------------------------------------4--2--0-----------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------------------1--0-----------0--1--------------------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2-----------------------------------------
2 Octave Melodic G - from 1\5:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-5--4-----0-----------------------------------------------------------------0-----4--5--------5--------0-----------------------------------------------------0--------5--------------------5--------0-----------------------------------------0--------5--------------------------------7-----4-----0-----------------------0-----4-----7-----------------------------------------------5--------0-----------0--------5--------------------------------------------------------------5-----2--0--2-----5-----------------------------------
2 Octave G - from 3\0, downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------------------------------0-----4--5--4-----0--------------------------------------------------------------0--1-----5-----------5-----1--0--------0-----------------------------------------0--2-----------------------------------2--0-----4--2--0-----------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------------------1--0-----------0--1--------------------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2--------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave Melodic G - from 3\0, downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------------------------------0-----4--5--4-----0--------------------------------------------------------------0--------5-----------5--------0--------0-----------------------------------------0--------5-----------------------5--------0-----4-----0-----------------------0-----4-----7-----------------------------------7-----------5--------0-----------0--------5--------------------------------------------------------------5-----2--0--2-----5--------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave G - from 3\0, upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-------------0-----4--5--4-----0--------------------------------------------------------------0--1-----5-----------5-----1--0--------------------------------------------------0--2-----------------------------------2--0-----------------------------------------0-----------------------------------------------4--2--0-----------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------------------1--0-----------0--1--------------------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2--------------------
2 Octave Melodic G - from 3\0, upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-------------0-----4--5--4-----0--------------------------------------------------------------0--------5-----------5--------0--------------------------------------------------0--------5-----------------------5--------0-----------------------------------------0-----7-----------------------------------7-----4-----0-----------------------0-----4-----------------------------------------------------5--------0-----------0--------5--------------------------------------------------------------5-----2--0--2-----5--------------
40
Exercises for the Key of D

Scale:
Fret Board:
1
D
2
E
3 4
F# G
5
A
6
B
7
C#
3rd
5th
7th
9th
12th
D---+---E---+---F#--G---+---A---+---B---+---C#--D
B---+---C#--D---+---E---+---F#--G---+---A---+---B
G---+---A---+---B---+---C#--D---+---E---+---F#--G
D---+---E---+---F#--G---+---A---+---B---+---C#--D
B---+---C#--D---+---E---+---F#--G---+---A---+---B
G---+---A---+---B---+---C#--D---+---E---+---F#--G
V
I
IV
1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1
6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6
4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4
1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1
6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6
4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4
Open
2nd
1---+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1---+
4---+---5---+---6
1---+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1---+
4---+---5---+---6
V
2nd
5th
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
-I
7th
3---4---+---5
+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1
3---4---+---5
+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1
I7th
9th
+---5---+---6
+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
+---5---+---6
+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
IV
12th
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
Open D (4, 2) - from 1\0 upward:

1 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-0--2--0-----------------------------------------------------------------0-----------2--0-----------------------------------------------------0--2--------------------2--0-----------------------------------------0--2--------------------------------4--2--0-----------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------2--0-----------0--2--------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2--------------------------------
Melodic D (4, 2) - from 1\0 upward:

1 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-0-----0-----------------------------------------------------------------0-----5--------0-----------------------------------------------------0-----------------6--------0-----------------------------------------0--------6--------------------7-----4-----0-----------------------0-----4-----7-----------------------------------5--------0-----------0--------5--------------------------------------------------6-----2--0--2-----6--------------------------
Open D (4, 2) - from 1\0 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 1
-0-----------------------------------------------------------------0--2--0-----2--0-----------------------------------------------------0--2--------------------2--0-----------------------------------------0--2--------------------------------4--2--0-----------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------2--0-----------0--2--------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2--------------------------------------
Melodic D (4, 2) - from 1\0 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 1
-0-----------------------------------------------------------------0-----0--------0-----------------------------------------------------0--------5--------6--------0-----------------------------------------0--------6--------------------7-----4-----0-----------------------0-----4-----7-----------------------------------5--------0-----------0--------5--------------------------------------------------6-----2--0--2-----6--------------------------------
41

1 7 6 5 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------0--2--0--------------------------------------------------------------0--2-----------2--0--------------------------------------------------0--2-----------------------2--0-----------0-----------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------4--2--0-----2--0-----------0--2--------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2-----------------------------------------------------------

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 5 6 7 1
----------------------------------------------0-----0--------------------------------------------------------------0--------5--------0--------------------------------------------------0--------6-----------6--------0-----------0-----------------------0-----4-----7-----------------------7-----4-----0--------0-----------0--------5------------------------------------------5-------6-----2--0--2-----6-----------------------------------------------------

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 5 6 7 1
----------------------0--2--0--------------------------------------------------------------0--2-----------2--0--------------------------------------------------0--2-----------------------2--0-----------------------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------4--2--0-----------------------0-----------------------------------------------------2--0-----------0--2--------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2-----------

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 5 6 7 1
----------------------0-----0--------------------------------------------------------------0--------5--------0--------------------------------------------------0--------6-----------6--------0-----------------------------------0-----4-----7-----------------------7-----4-----0-----------------------0-----5------------------------------------------5-------0-----------0-----------------------------------------------------------6-----2--0--2-----6-----
Variations:
2 Octave D - from 4\0:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------0-----------7-----11-12-11----7-----------0--------------------------------------0--2--------7--8-----12----------12----8--7--------2--0--------------------------0--2-----------9-----------------------------------9-----------2--0-----------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------------------------------4--2--0--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
42
2 Octave Melodic D - from 4\0:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------0-----------7-----11-12-11----7-----------0--------------------------------------0-----------7--8-----12----------12----8--7-----------0--------------------------0--------6-----9-----------------------------------9-----6--------0-----------0--2--4-----7-----------------------------------------------------------7-----4--2--0--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave D - from 12\0:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-12-11----7-----------0-----------------------------------------0-----------7-----11-12-------12----8--7--------2--0-----------------------------0--2--------7--8-----12-------------------------9-----------2--0-----------------0--2-----------9--------------------------------------------------------4--2--0--2--4--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave Melodic D - from 12\0:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-12-11----7-----------0-----------------------------------------0-----------7-----11-12-------12----8--7-----------0-----------------------------0-----------7--8-----12-------------------------9-----6--------0-----------------0--------6-----9--------------------------------------------------7-----4--2--0--2--4-----7--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave D - from 1\0 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-0-----------7-----11-12-11----7-----------0-----------------------------------------0--------7--8-----12----------12----8--7-----------0-----------------------------0-----------9-----------------------------------9-----6--------0-----------------0--------6--------------------------------------------------------7-----4--2--0--2--4-----7-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave Melodic D - from 1\0 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-0-----------7-----11-12-11----7-----------0-----------------------------------------0--------7--8-----12----------12----8--7-----------0-----------------------------0-----------9-----------------------------------9-----6--------0-----------------0--------6--------------------------------------------------------7-----4--2--0--2--4-----7-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave D - from 1\0 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-0-----------------------------------------0-----------7-----11-12-11----7-----------0-----2--0-----------------------------0--2--------7--8-----12----------12----8--7-----------------2--0-----------------0--2-----------9-----------------------------------9--------------------4--2--0--2--4-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave Melodic D - from 1\0 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-0-----------------------------------------0-----------7-----11-12-11----7-----------0--------0-----------------------------0-----------7--8-----12----------12----8--7-----------6--------0-----------------0--------6-----9-----------------------------------9--------------7-----4--2--0--2--4-----7-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
43
Exercises for the Key of C

Scale:
Fret Board:
1
C
2
D
3
E
4
F
5
G
6
A
7
B
3rd
5th
7th
9th
12th
D---+---E---F---+---G---+---A---+---B---C---+---D---+---E---F
B---C---+---D---+---E---F---+---G---+---A---+---B---C---+---D
G---+---A---+---B---C---+---D---+---E---F---+---G---+---A---+
D---+---E---F---+---G---+---A---+---B---C---+---D---+---E---F
B---C---+---D---+---E---F---+---G---+---A---+---B---C---+---D
G---+---A---+---B---C---+---D---+---E---F---+---G---+---A---+
I
IV
V
2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+
2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+
Open
2nd
2---+---3---4--7---1---+---2--5---+---6---+--2---+---3---4--7---1---+---2--5---+---6---+---
-I
12th
14th
3---4---+---5
+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1
3---4---+---5
+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1
I14th
+---5---+---6
+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
+---5---+---6
+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
IV
10th
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
V
12th
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
Open C (5, 3) - from 2\1 upward:

1 2 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
----0--2--0-----------------------------------------------------------------1-----------1--0-----------------------------------------------------0--1--------------------2--0-----------------------------------------0--2--------------------------------3--2--0-----------------------0--2--3-----------------------------------------------1--0-----------0--1--------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2-----------------------------
Melodic C (5, 3) - from 3\5 upward:

1 2 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
----0-----0-----------------------------------------------------------------------5--------0-----------------------------------------------------0-----5-----------5--------0-----------------------------------------0--------5--------------------7-----------0-----------------------0-----------7--------------------------------6--5--------0-----------0--------5--6-----------------------------------------------5-----2--0--2-----5-----------------------
Open C (5, 3) - from 2\1 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------------------------0--2--0-----1--0-----------------------------------------------------0--1-----------1--------2--0-----------------------------------------0--2--------------------------------3--2--0-----------------------0--2--3-----------------------------------------------1--0-----------0--1--------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2-----------------------------------------
Melodic C (5, 3) - from 3\5 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------------------------0-----0--------0-----------------------------------------------------0--------5--------5--------0-----------------------------------------0--------5-----------5--------7-----------0-----------------------0-----------7--------------------------------6--5--------0-----------0--------5--6-----------------------------------------------5-----2--0--2-----5-----------------------------------
44

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 6 7 1
-------------------------0--2--0--------------------------------------------------------------0--1-----------1--0--------------------------------------------------0--2-----------------------2--0-----------------------------------0--2--3-----------------------------------3--2--0-----------------------1-----------------------------------------------------1--0-----------0--1--------------------------------------------------------------2--0--2--------

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 6 7 1
-------------------------0-----0--------------------------------------------------------------0--------5--------0--------------------------------------------------0--------5-----------5--------0-----------------------------------0-----------7-----------------------7-----------0-----------------------------5--6-----------------------------------6--5--------0-----------0-----5-----------------------------------------------------5-----2--0--2-----5--

1 7 6 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------------------0--2--0--------------------------------------------------------------0--1-----------1--0--------------------------------------------------0--2-----------------------2--0-----------------------------------0--2--3-----------------------------------3--2--0-----1--0-----------0--1-----------------------------------------------------1--------2--0--2--------------------------------------------------------------

1 7 6 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------------------0-----0--------------------------------------------------------------0--------5--------0--------------------------------------------------0--------5-----------5--------0-----------------------------------0-----------7-----------------------7-----------0--------0-----------0--------5--6-----------------------------------6--5--------5-----2--0--2-----5-----------------------------------------------------5--
Variations:
2 Octave C - from 5\1:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------0--------5-----9--10-9-----5--------0--------------------------------------------0--1-----5--6-----10----------10----6--5-----1--0--------------------------------0--2-----------------------------------------------------2--0-----------------0--2--3-----------------------------------------------------------------3--2--0-----1-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
45
2 Octave Melodic C - from 6\5:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------0--------5-----9--10-9-----5--------0--------------------------------------------0--------5--6-----10----------10----6--5--------0--------------------------------0--------5-----------------------------------------5--------0-----------------0-----------7-----------------------------------------------------7-----------0-----------5--6-----------------------------------------------------------------6--5--------5-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------5--
2 Octave C - from 1\10:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-10-9-----5--------0-----------------------------------------------0--------5-----9--10-------10----6--5-----1--0-----------------------------------0--1-----5--6-----10----------------------------------2--0-----------------------0--2--------------------------------------------------------------3--2--0-----0--2--3-----------------------------------------------------------------------------1-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave Melodic C - from 1\10:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-10-9-----5--------0-----------------------------------------------0--------5-----9--10-------10----6--5--------0-----------------------------------0--------5--6-----10----------------------------5--------0-----------------------0--------5--------------------------------------------------7-----------0-----0-----------7--------------------------------------------------------------6--5-----------5--6-----------------------------------------------------------------------------5--------------------------------------------
2 Octave C - from 2\1 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------0--------5-----9--10-9-----5--------0-----1--0-----------------------------------0--1-----5--6-----10----------10----6--5-----1--------2--0-----------------------0--2--------------------------------------------------------------3--2--0-----0--2--3-----------------------------------------------------------------------------1--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave Melodic C - from 3\5 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------0--------5-----9--10-9-----5--------0--------0-----------------------------------0--------5--6-----10----------10----6--5-----1--5--------0-----------------------0--------5--------------------------------------------------7-----------0-----0-----------7--------------------------------------------------------------6--5-----------5--6-----------------------------------------------------------------------------5-----------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave C - from 2\1 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
----0--------5-----9--10-9-----5--------0-----------------------------------------------1-----5--6-----10----------10----6--5-----1--0-----------------------------------0--1--------------------------------------------------2--0-----------------------0--2--------------------------------------------------------------3--2--0-----0--2--3-----------------------------------------------------------------------------1--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave Melodic C - from 3\5 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
----0--------5-----9--10-9-----5--------0-----------------------------------------------------5--6-----10----------10----6--5--------0-----------------------------------0-----5-----------------------------------------5--------0-----------------------0--------5--------------------------------------------------7-----------0-----0-----------7--------------------------------------------------------------6--5-----------5--6-----------------------------------------------------------------------------5-----------------------
46
Exercises for the Key of A

Scale:
Fret Board:
1
A
2
B
3 4
C# D
5
E
6 7
F# G#
3rd
5th
7th
9th
12th
15th
D---+---E---+---F#--+---G#--A---+---B---+---C#--D---+---E---+---F#
B---+---C#--D---+---E---+---F#--+---G#--A---+---B---+---C#--D---+
|---G#--A---+---B---+---C#--D---+---E---+---F#--+---G#--A---+---B
D---+---E---+---F#--+---G#--A---+---B---+---C#--D---+---E---+---F#
B---+---C#--D---+---E---+---F#--+---G#--A---+---B---+---C#--D---+
|---G#--A---+---B---+---C#--D---+---E---+---F#--+---G#--A---+---B
IV
V
I
4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+
|---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2
4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+
|---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2
Open
2rd
4---+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4---+
|---7---1---+---2
4---+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4---+
|---7---1---+---2
IV
5th
7th
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
V
9th
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
-I
12th
14th
3---4---+---5
+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1
3---4---+---5
+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1
I14th
+---5---+---6
+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
+---5---+---6
+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
Open A (1, 6) - from 6\2:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------0--2--4--2--0--------------------------------------------------------0--2-----------------2--0--------------------------------------------1--2-----------------------------2--1-----------------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------4--2--0--------------0--2-----------------------------------------------------------2--0-----2-----------------------------------------------------------------------2-
The following exercise proposes a mini-shift to the IV position to avoid consecutive closed moves on the first string.
Open, IV A (1, 6) - from 6\2:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
|
|
|
|
-------------------------------0-----4-----0--------------------------------------------------------0--2-----5-----5-----2--0--------------------------------------------1--2-----------------------------2--1-----------------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------4--2--0--------------0--2-----------------------------------------------------------2--0-----2-----------------------------------------------------------------------2-
Melodic A (1, 6) - from 6\2:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------0-----4-----0--------------------------------------------------------0--------5-----5--------0-----------------------------------------------------6-----------------6--------------------------------------0--------6--7-----------------------------7--6--------0--------------0--------5--7-----------------------------------------7--5--------0-----2-----6-----------------------------------------------------------6-----2-
47
Open A (1, 6) - from 3\2 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
----------0--2--4--2--0--------------------------------------------------------0--2-----------------2--0-----------------------------------------------2-----------------------------2--1-----------------------------------1--2--------------------------------------4--2--0-----------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------------2--0-----0--2--------------------------------------------------------------------2-----------------------
Melodic A (1, 6) - from 4\7 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
----------0-----4-----0--------------------------------------------------------0--------5-----5--------0-----------------------------------------------------6-----------------6--------------------------------------------------7-----------------------------7--6---------0----------------0--------6--7--------------------------------------7--5--------0-----0--------5--7-----------------------------------------------------6-----2-----6-----------------
Open A (1, 6) - from 3\2 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------------0--2--4--2--0--------------------------------------------------------0--2-----------------2--0-----2--1-----------------------------------1--2-----------------------------2--------4--2--0-----------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------------2--0-----0--2--------------------------------------------------------------------2-----------------------------------------------------
Melodic A (1, 6) - from 4\7 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------------0-----4-----0--------------------------------------------------------0--------5-----5--------0-----------------------------------------------------6-----------------6--------7--6---------0----------------0--------6--7-----------------------------7--------7--5--------0-----0--------5--7-----------------------------------------------------6-----2-----6-----------------------------------------------
Variations:
The following 2 variations would use a mini-shift to position IV, as described above.
Open, IV A (1, 6) - from 3\2 downward.
Open, IV A (1, 6) - from 3\2 upward.
Open A
Melodic
Open A
Melodic
Open A
Melodic
Open A
Melodic
(7, 5) - from 3\2 downward.

A (7, 5) - from 4\7 downward.
(7, 5) - from 3\2 upward.
A (7, 5) -from 4\7 upward.
A (7, 5) - from 6\2 downward.
(7, 5) - from 6\2 upward.
A (7, 5) -from 6\2 upward.
2 Octave A - from 6\2:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------0--------6--7--6--------0--------------------------------------------------------0--2-----5--7-----------7--5-----2--0--------------------------------------------1--2-----------------------------------------2--1-----------------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------------4--2--0--------------0--2-----------------------------------------------------------------------2--0-----2-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-
48
2 Octave Melodic A - from 6\2:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------0--------6--7--6--------0--------------------------------------------------------0--------5--7-----------7--5--------0-----------------------------------------------------6-----------------------------6--------------------------------------0--------6--7-----------------------------------------7--6--------0--------------0--------5--7-----------------------------------------------------7--5--------0-----2-----6-----------------------------------------------------------------------6-----2-
2 Octave A - from 1\7:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-7--6--------0-----------------------------------------------------------0--------6--7--------7--5-----2--0-----------------------------------------------0--2-----5--7-----------------------------2--1-----------------------------------1--2--------------------------------------------------4--2--0-----------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------------------------2--0-----0--2--------------------------------------------------------------------------------2--------------------------------------------
2 Octave Melodic A - from 1\7:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-7--6--------0-----------------------------------------------------------0--------6--7--------7--5--------0-----------------------------------------------0--------5--7-----------------------6-----------------------------------------------------6--------------------------------------7--6--------0-----------------0--------6--7--------------------------------------------------7--5--------0-----0--------5--7-----------------------------------------------------------------6-----2-----6--------------------------------------
2 Octave A - from 3\2 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------------0--------6--7--6--------0--------------------------------------------------------0--2-----5--7-----------7--5-----2--0-----2--1-----------------------------------1--2-----------------------------------------2--------4--2--0-----------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------------------------2--0-----0--2--------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-----------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave Melodic A - from 4\7 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------------0--------6--7--6--------0--------------------------------------------------------0--------5--7-----------7--5--------0-----------------------------------------------------6-----------------------------6--------7--6--------0-----------------0--------6--7-----------------------------------------7--------7--5--------0-----0--------5--7-----------------------------------------------------------------6-----2-----6-----------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave A - from 3\2 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
----------0--------6--7--6--------0--------------------------------------------------------0--2-----5--7-----------7--5-----2--0-----------------------------------------------2-----------------------------------------2--1-----------------------------------1--2--------------------------------------------------4--2--0-----------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------------------------2--0-----0--2--------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-----------------------
2 Octave Melodic A - from 4\7 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
----------0--------6--7--6--------0--------------------------------------------------------0--------5--7-----------7--5--------0-----------------------------------------------------6-----------------------------6--------------------------------------------------7-----------------------------------------7--6--------0-----------------0--------6--7--------------------------------------------------7--5--------0-----0--------5--7-----------------------------------------------------------------6-----2-----6-----------------
49
Exercises for the Key of F

Scale:
Fret Board:
1
F
2
G
3
A
4 5
Bb C
6
D
7
E
3rd
5th
7th
9th
12th
15th
D---+---E---F---+---G---+---A---Bb--+---C---+---D---+---E---F
|---C---+---D---+---E---F---+---G---+---A---Bb--+---C---+---D
G---+---A---Bb--+---C---+---D---+---E---F---+---G---+---A---Bb
D---+---E---F---+---G---+---A---Bb--+---C---+---D---+---E---F
|---C---+---D---+---E---F---+---G---+---A---Bb--+---C---+---D
G---+---A---Bb--+---C---+---D---+---E---F---+---G---+---A---Bb
V
I
IV
6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1
|---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4
6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1
|---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4
Open
2nd
6---+---7---1
|---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
6---+---7---1
|---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
V
5th
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
-I
8th
10th
3---4---+---5
+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1
3---4---+---5
+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1
I10th
12th
+---5---+---6
+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
+---5---+---6
+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
IV
15th
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
Open F (3, 1) - from 1\3:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-3--2--0-----------------------------------------------------------0--2--3-----------1-----------------------------------------------------1-----------------------3--2--0-----------------------------------0--2--3-----------------------------------3--2--0-----------------0--2--3-----------------------------------------------------1-----------1-----------------------------------------------------------------3--2--3-----------------------------------
Melodic F (3, 1) - from 2\6:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-------0-----------------------------------------------------------0--------6--5-----------------------------------------------------------------5--6-----------5--------0-----------------------------------0--------5-----------------------8--7-----------0-----------------0-----------7--8-----------------------------------6--5-----1-----------1-----5--6--------------------------------------------------------3--2--3-----------------------------------
Open F (3, 1) - from 4\3 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 4 5 6 7 1
----------------0--2--3--2--0-----------------------------------------------------------1-----------------1-----------------------------------------------0--2--3-----------------------3--2--0-----------------------------------3-----------------------------------------3--2--0-----------------0--2--3-----------------------------------------------------1-----------1-----------------------------------------------------------------3--2--3--------------
Melodic F (3, 1) - from 5\6 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 4 5 6 7 1
----------------0-----------0-----------------------------------------------------------------5--6--5-----------------------------------------------------0--------5-----------------5--------0-----------------------------------------7--8-----------------------8--7-----------0-----------------0--------6-----------------------------------------6--5-----1-----------1-----5--6--------------------------------------------------------3--2--3--------------
50
Open F (3, 1) - from 4\3 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------0--2--3--2--0-----------------------------------------------------------1-----------------1-----------------------------------------------0--2--3-----------------------3--2--0-----3--2--0-----------------0--2--3-----------------------------------------3-----------1-----------1-----------------------------------------------------------------3--2--3--------------------------------------------------------
Melodic F (3, 1) - from 5\6 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------0-----------0-----------------------------------------------------------------5--6--5-----------------------------------------------------0--------5-----------------5--------0-----------0-----------------0-----------7--8-----------------------8--7--------6--5-----1-----------1-----5--6-----------------------------------------6--------------3--2--3--------------------------------------------------------
Variations:
Open F
Melodic
Open A
Melodic

F (2, 7) - from 5\6 downward.
F (2, 7) - from 4\3 upward.
F (2, 7) - -from 5\6 upward.
2 Octave F - from 4\3:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------0--------5--------10----14-15-14----10-------5--------0-----------------------------1-----5--6-----10-11----15----------15----11-10----6--5-----1-----------------0--2--3-----------------------------------------------------------------3--2--0-----3-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------3--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave Melodic F - from 6\10:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------0-----------------10----14-15-14----10----------------0--------------------------------------------10-11----15----------15----11-10-------------------------------0--------------9--10-12----------------------------------12-10-9--------------0-----------------10----------------------------------------------------------10-------------------10-11----------------------------------------------------------------11-10-------10----------------------------------------------------------------------------------10-
2 Octave F - from 1\15:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-15-14----10-------5--------0-----------------------------0--------5--------10----14-15-------15----11-10----6--5-----1-----------------------1-----5--6-----10-11----15----------------------------------------3--2--0-----0--2--3-----------------------------------------------------------------------------3--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave Melodic F - from 1\15:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-15-14----10----------------0-----------------------------0-----------------10----14-15-------15----11-10----------------------------------------------------10-11----15-------------------------12-10-9--------------0-----0--------------9--10-12-------------------------------------------------10----------------------10----------------------------------------------------------------11-10----------10-11----------------------------------------------------------------------------10-------------------------------------------
51
Exercises for the Key of Bb

Scale:
Fret Board:
1 2
Bb C
3
D
4 5
Eb F
6
G
7
A
3rd
5th
7th
9th
12th
D---Eb--+---F---+---G---+---A---Bb--+---C---+---D---Eb-|---C---+---D---Eb--+---F---+---G---+---A---Bb--+---C--G---+---A---Bb--+---C---+---D---Eb--+---F---+---G---+--D---Eb--+---F---+---G---+---A---Bb--+---C---+---D---Eb-|---C---+---D---Eb--+---F---+---G---+---A---Bb--+---C--G---+---A---Bb--+---C---+---D---Eb--+---F---+---G---+--I
IV
V
3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4--|---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2--6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+--3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4--|---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2--6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---
Open
2nd
3---4---+---5--|---2---+---3--6---+---7---1--3---4---+---5--|---2---+---3--6---+---7---1---
I3rd
5th
+---5---+---6--+---3---4---+--7---1---+---2--+---5---+---6--+---3---4---+--7---1---+---2---
IV
5th
8th
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
V
10th
12th
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
Open Bb (7,5) - from 6\3 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 1
----------------------------0--1--3--1--0-----------------------------------------------------------1-----------------1-----------------------------------------------0--2--3-----------------------3--2--0-----------------------------0--1--3-----------------------------------------3--1--0-----------------1-----------------------------------------------------------1-----------3-----------------------------------------------------------------3--2--3-
The following exercise proposes a mini-shift to the I position to avoid consecutive closed moves on the first string.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 1
----------------------------0-----3-----0-----------------------------------------------------------1-----4-----4-----1-----------------------------------------------0--2--3-----------------------3--2--0-----------------------------0--1--3-----------------------------------------3--1--0-----------------1-----------------------------------------------------------1-----------3-----------------------------------------------------------------3--2--3-
Open Bb (7,5) - from 6\3 downward:

1 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------0--1--3--1--0-----------------------------------------------------------1-----------------1-----------------------------------------------0--2--3-----------------------3--2--0-----------------------------0--1--3-----------------------------------------3--1--0-----------------1-----------------------------------------------------------1-----3--2--3-----------------------------------------------------------------3--
52

1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-------0--1--3--1--0-----------------------------------------------------------1-----------------1-----------------------------------------------------3-----------------------3--2--0-----------------------------------0--2--3-----------------------------------3--1--0-----------------0--1--3-----------------------------------------------------1-----------1-----------------------------------------------------------------3--2--3-----------------------

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------------------------------0--1--3--1--0-----------------------------------------------------------1-----------------1-----3--2--0-----------------------------------0--2--3-----------------------3-----------3--1--0-----------------0--1--3-----------------------------------------------------1-----------1-----------------------------------------------------------------3--2--3-----------------------------------------------
Variations:
(the following 3 variations would use a mini-shift to position I, as described above)
2 Octave Bb - from 6\3:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------0-----------7--8--7-----------0-----------------------------------------------------1--------6--8-----------8--6--------1-----------------------------------------0--2--3--------8-----------------------8--------3--2--0-----------------------0--1--3-----------------------------------------------------------3--1--0-----------1-----------------------------------------------------------------------------1-----3-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------3--
2 Octave Bb - from 1\8:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-8--7-----------0-----------------------------------------------------0-----------7--8--------8--6--------1-----------------------------------------------1--------6--8--------------------8--------3--2--0-----------------------------0--2--3--------8--------------------------------------------3--1--0-----------0--1--3-----------------------------------------------------------------------1-----1-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------3--------------------------------------------
2 Octave Bb - from 3\3 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------------------------0-----------7--8--7-----------0-----------------------------------------------------1--------6--8-----------8--6--------1-----3--2--0-----------------------------0--2--3--------8-----------------------8--------3-----------3--1--0-----------0--1--3-----------------------------------------------------------------------1-----1-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------3-----------------------------------------------------------------
53
2 Octave Bb - from 3\3 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-------0-----------7--8--7-----------0-----------------------------------------------------1--------6--8-----------8--6--------1-----------------------------------------------3--------8-----------------------8--------3--2--0-----------------------------0--2--3-----------------------------------------------------3--1--0-----------0--1--3-----------------------------------------------------------------------1-----1-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------3-----------------------
54
Exercises for the Key of Eb

Scale:
Fret Board:
1 2
Eb F
3
G
4 5 6
Ab Bb C
7
D
3rd
5th
7th
9th
12th
D---Eb--+---F---+---G---Ab--+---Bb--+---C---+---D---Eb
|---C---+---D---Eb--+---F---+---G---Ab--+---Bb--+---C
G---Ab--+---Bb--+---C---+---D---Eb--+---F---+---G---Ab
D---Eb--+---F---+---G---Ab--+---Bb--+---C---+---D---Eb
|---C---+---D---Eb--+---F---+---G---Ab--+---Bb--+---C
G---Ab--+---Bb--+---C---+---D---Eb--+---F---+---G---Ab
V
I
IV
7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1
|---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6
3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1
|---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6
3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4
Open
2nd
7---1---+---2
|---6---+---+
3---4---+---5
7---1---+---2
|---6---+---+
3---4---+---5
V
3rd
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
-I
6th h
8th
3---4---+---5
+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1
3---4---+---5
+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1
I8th
10th
+---5---+---6
+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
+---5---+---6
+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
IV
13th
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
Open Eb (3,1) - from 4\1 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 4 5 6 7 1
-------------------0--1--0-----------------------------------------------------------------1-----------1-----------------------------------------------------0--1--3-----------------3--1--0--------------------------------------1--3-----------------------------------3--1--0-----------------------0--1--------------------------------------------------1-----------------1-----------------------------------------------------------3--1--0--1--3-----------
Open Eb (3,1) - from 4\1 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------------------------0--1--0-----------------------------------------------------------------1-----------1-----------------------------------------------------0--1--3-----------------3--1--0--------1--0-----------------------0--1--3-----------------------------------3--1--------1-----------------1-----------------------------------------------------------3--1--0--1--3-----------------------------------------------------
Open Eb (3,1) - from 1\1:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-1--0-----------------------------------------------------------------0--1--------1-----------------------------------------------------------1-----------------3--1--0-----------------------------------------0--1--3-----------------------------3--1--0-----------------------0--1--3-----------------------------------------------1-----------------1-----------------------------------------------------------3--1--0--1--3--------------------------------
Variations:
55
2 Octave Eb - from 4\1:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------0--------------8-----12-13-12----8--------------0-----------------------------------1-----------8--9-----13----------13----9--8-----------1-----------------------0--1--3--------8--10----------------------------------10-8--------3--1--0--------1--3-----------------------------------------------------------------------------3--1--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave Eb - from 1\13:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-13-12----8--------------0-----------------------------------0--------------8-----12-13-------13----9--8-----------1-----------------------------1-----------8--9-----13-------------------------10-8--------3--1--0-----------0--1--3--------8--10----------------------------------------------------------3--1--3-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave Eb - from 3\8 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-------------8-----12-13-12----8--------------0-----------------------------------0-----------8--9-----13----------13----9--8-----------1-----------------------------1--------8--10----------------------------------10-8--------3--1--0-----------0--1--3--------8--------------------------------------------------------------3--1--3--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave Eb - from 3\8 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----0-----------------------------------0--------------8-----12-13-12----8--------------------1-----------------------------1-----------8--9-----13----------13----9--8--------8--------3--1--0-----------0--1--3--------8--10----------------------------------10-8--------------------3--1--3--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
56
Exercises for the Key of E

Scale:
Fret Board:
1
E
2 3 4
F# G# A
5
B
6 7
C# D#
3rd
5th
7th
9th
12th
|---D#--E---+---F#--+---G#--A---+---B---+---C#--+---D#--E
B---+---C#--+---D#--E---+---F#--+---G#--A---+---B---+---C#
|---G#--A---+---B---+---C#--+---D#--E---+---F#--+---G#--A
|---D#--E---+---F#--+---G#--A---+---B---+---C#--+---D#--E
B---+---C#--+---D#--E---+---F#--+---G#--A---+---B---+---C#
|---G#--A---+---B---+---C#--+---D#--E---+---F#--+---G#--A
V
I
IV
|---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1
5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6
|---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4
|---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1
5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6
|---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4
Open
2nd
|---7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+---7
|---3---4---+---5
|---7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+---7
|---3---4---+---5
V
4th
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
-I
7th
9th
3---4---+---5
+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1
3---4---+---5
+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1
I9th
11th
+---5---+---6
+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
+---5---+---6
+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
IV
14th
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
Open E (3,1) - from 4\2 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 4 5 6 7 1
-------------------1--2--1--------------------------------------------------------------0--2-----------2--0--------------------------------------------------1--2-----------------------2--1--------------------------------------2--4-----------------------------------4--2--1-----------------------1--2--------------------------------------------------2--0-----------0--2--------------------------------------------------------------2--1--2--------------
Open E (3,1) - from 4\2 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------------------------1--2--1--------------------------------------------------------------0--2-----------2--0--------------------------------------------------1--2-----------------------2--1--------2--1-----------------------1--2--4-----------------------------------4--2--------2--0-----------0--2--------------------------------------------------------------2--1--2--------------------------------------------------------
Open E (3,1) - from 1\2:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-2--1-----------------------------------------------------------------1--2--------2--0-----------------------------------------------------0--2--------------------2--1-----------------------------------------1--2--------------------------------4--2--1-----------------------1--2--4-----------------------------------------------2--0-----------0--2--------------------------------------------------------------2--1--2-----------------------------------
Variations:
57
2 Octave E - from 4\2:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------4--------9-----13-14-13----9--------4--------------------------------------0-----4--5-----9--10----14----------14----10-9-----5--4-----0--------------------1--2-----6-----------------------------------------------------6-----2--1--------2--4-----------------------------------------------------------------------------4--2--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave E - from 1\14:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-14-13----9--------4-----------------------------------------------4--------9-----13-14-------14----10-9-----5--4-----0-----------------------0-----4--5-----9--10----14----------------------------------6-----2--1-----------1--2-----6--------------------------------------------------------------------4--2--4-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave E - from 2\5 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
----4--------9-----13-14-13----9--------4-----------------------------------------------5-----9--10----14----------14----10-9-----5--4-----0-----------------------0-----4--5--------------------------------------------------6-----2--1-----------1--2-----6--------------------------------------------------------------------4--2--4--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave E - from 2\5 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------4--------9-----13-14-13----9--------4-----5--4-----0-----------------------0-----4--5-----9--10----14----------14----10-9-----5--------6-----2--1-----------1--2-----6--------------------------------------------------------------------4--2--4--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
58
Exercises for the Key of B

Scale:
Fret Board:
1
B
2 3 4
C# D# E
5 6 7
F# G# A#
3rd
5th
7th
9th
12th
|---D#--E---+---F#--+---G#--+---A#--B---+---C#--+---D#--E
B---+---C#--+---D#--E---+---F#--+---G#--+---A#--B---+---C#
|---G#--+---A#--B---+---C#--+---D#--E---+---F#--+---G#--+
|---D#--E---+---F#--+---G#--+---A#--B---+---C#--+---D#--E
B---+---C#--+---D#--E---+---F#--+---G#--+---A#--B---+---C#
|---G#--+---A#--B---+---C#--+---D#--E---+---F#--+---G#--+
I
IV
V
|---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4
1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2
|---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+
|---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4
1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2
|---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+
Open
2nd
|---3---4---+---5
1---+---2---+---3
|---6---+---7---+
|---3---4---+---5
1---+---2---+---3
|---6---+---7---+
-I
2nd
4th
3---4---+---5
+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1
3---4---+---5
+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1
I6th
+---5---+---6
+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
+---5---+---6
+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
IV
9th
11th
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
V
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
Open B (6,4) - from 5\0 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 7 1
-------------------------------2-----------------------------------------------------------------0--2--4-----4--2--0--------------------------------------------------1--3-----------------------3--1--------------------------------------2--4-----------------------------------4--2-----------------------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------4--2--0-----------0-----------------------------------------------------------------3--1--3-----
Open B (6,4) - from 5\0 downward:

1 7 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------------------2-----------------------------------------------------------------0--2--4-----4--2--0--------------------------------------------------1--3-----------------------3--1--------------------------------------2--4-----------------------------------4--2-----------0-----------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------4--2--0-----3--1--3-----------------------------------------------------------------

1 2 3 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
----------2-----------------------------------------------------------------0--2--4-----4--2--0-----------------------------------------------------0-----------------------3--1-----------------------------------------1--3--------------------------------4--2-----------------------------2--4--------------------------------------------4--2--0-----------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------------------3--1--3--------------------------

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------------------------2-----------0-----------------------------------------------------0--2--4-----4--2--0-----3--1-----------------------------------------1--3--------------------------------4--2-----------------------------2--4--------------------------------------------4--2--0-----------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------------------3--1--3--------------------------------------------
59
Variations:
2 Octave B - from 5\0:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------4-----8--9--8-----4--------------------------------------------------------0-----4--5-----9-----------9-----5--4-----0--------------------------------------1--3-----6-----------------------------------6-----3--1--------------------------2--4-----------------------------------------------------------4--2-----------0--2--4-----------------------------------------------------------------------4--2--0-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave B - from 1\9:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-9--8-----4-----------------------------------------------------------------4-----8--9--------9-----5--4-----0-----------------------------------------0-----4--5-----9--------------------------6-----3--1-----------------------------1--3-----6--------------------------------------------------4--2-----------------2--4--------------------------------------------------------------------4--2--0--2--4-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave B - from 2\0 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-------------4-----8--9--8-----4--------------------------------------------------------0-----4--5-----9-----------9-----5--4-----0-----------------------------------------0-----6-----------------------------------6-----3--1-----------------------------1--3--------------------------------------------------------4--2-----------------2--4--------------------------------------------------------------------4--2--0--2--4--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave B - from 2\0 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------------------------------4-----8--9--8-----4--------------0-----------------------------------------0-----4--5-----9-----------9-----5--4-----0-----3--1-----------------------------1--3-----6-----------------------------------6--------------4--2-----------------2--4--------------------------------------------------------------------4--2--0--2--4--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
60
Exercises for the Key of F#

Scale:
Fret Board:
1 2 3 4
F# G# A# B
5 6 7
C# D# E#
3rd
5th
7th
9th
12th
15th
|---D#--+---E#--F#--+---G#--+---A#--B---+---C#--+---D#--+---E#--F#
B---+---C#--+---D#--+---E#--F#--+---G#--+---A#--B---+---C#--+---D#
|---G#--+---A#--B---+---C#--+---D#--+---E#--F#--+---G#--+---A#--B
|---D#--+---E#--F#--+---G#--+---A#--B---+---C#--+---D#--+---E#--F#
B---+---C#--+---D#--+---E#--F#--+---G#--+---A#--B---+---C#--+---D#
|---G#--+---A#--B---+---C#--+---D#--+---E#--F#--+---G#--+---A#--B
IV
V
I
IV
|---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1
4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6
|---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4
|---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1
4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6
|---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4
Open
IV
2nd
|---6---+---7---1
4---+---5---+---6
|---2---+---3---4
|---6---+---7---1
4---+---5---+---6
|---2---+---3---4
V
6th
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
-I
9th
11th
3---4---+---5
+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1
3---4---+---5
+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1
I11th
13th
+---5---+---6
+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
+---5---+---6
+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
IV
16th
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
Open F# (2,7) - from 4\4 upward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------------1--3--1--------------------------------------------------------------0--2-----------2--0--------------------------------------------------1--3-----------------------3--1-----4--3--1-----------------------1--3--4-----------------------------------4-----------2--0-----------0--2--------------------------------------------------------------3--1--3-----------------------------------------------------
Open F# (2,7) - from 4\4 downward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
----------------1--3--1--------------------------------------------------------------0--2-----------2--0--------------------------------------------------1--3-----------------------3--1-----------------------------------------4-----------------------------------4--3--1-----------------------1--3--4-----------------------------------------------2--0-----------0--2--------------------------------------------------------------3--1--3-----------------
Variations:
Open F# (3,1) - from 4\4 upward:
Open F# (3,1) - from 4\4 downward:
Open F# (3,1) - from 1\4:
61
2 Octave F# - from 4\4:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------6--------11----15-16-15----11-------6-----------------------------------0--------6--7-----11-12----16----------16----12-11----7--6--------0--------------1--3-----6--8-----------------------------------------------------8--6-----3--1-----4-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------4--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave F# - from 1\16:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-16-15----11-------6-----------------------------------------------6--------11----15-16-------16----12-11----7--6--------0-----------------0--------6--7-----11-12----16----------------------------------8--6-----3--1-----1--3-----6--8-----------------------------------------------------------------------4--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave F# - from 2\7 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
----6--------11----15-16-15----11-------6-----------------------------------------------7-----11-12----16----------16----12-11----7--6--------0-----------------0--------6--7--------------------------------------------------8--6-----3--1-----1--3-----6--8-----------------------------------------------------------------------4-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave F# - from 2\7 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------6--------11----15-16-15----11-------6-----7--6--------0-----------------0--------6--7-----11-12----16----------16----12-11----7--------8--6-----3--1-----1--3-----6--8-----------------------------------------------------------------------4-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
62
Exercises for the Key of Ab

Scale:
Fret Board:
1 2 3
Ab Bb C
4 5 6
Db Eb F
7
G
3rd
5th
7th
9th
12th
15th
|---Eb--+---F---+---G---Ab--+---Bb--+---C---Db--+---Eb--+---F
|---C---Db--+---Eb--+---F---+---G---Ab--+---Bb--+---C---Db--+
G---Ab--+---Bb--+---C---Db--+---Eb--+---F---+---G---Ab--+---Bb
|---Eb--+---F---+---G---Ab--+---Bb--+---C---Db--+---Eb--+---F
|---C---Db--+---Eb--+---F---+---G---Ab--+---Bb--+---C---Db--+
G---Ab--+---Bb--+---C---Db--+---Eb--+---F---+---G---Ab--+---Bb
IIV
V
I
|---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6
|---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2
|---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6
|---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2
Open
2rd
|---5---+---6
|---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
|---5---+---6
|---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
IV
6th
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
V
8th
10th
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
2---+---3---4
7---1---+---2
5---+---6---+
-I
13th
3---4---+---5
+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1
3---4---+---5
+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1
I13th
+---5---+---6
+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
+---5---+---6
+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
Open Ab (7,5) - from 6\1 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 1
----------------------------------1--------------------------------------------------------------------1--2-----2--1-----------------------------------------------------0--1--3-----------------3--1--0--------------------------------------1--3-----------------------------------3--1--------------------------1--2-----------------------------------------------2--1--------------1--3-----------------------------------------------------------3--1--0--1--
Open Ab (7,5) - from 6\1 downward:

1 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------------1--------------------------------------------------------------------1--2-----2--1-----------------------------------------------------0--1--3-----------------3--1--0--------------------------------------1--3-----------------------------------3--1--------------------------1--2-----------------------------------------------2--1--------1--0--1--3-----------------------------------------------------------3--1--

1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-------------1--------------------------------------------------------------------1--2-----2--1--------------------------------------------------------1--3-----------------3--1--0-----------------------------------------0--1--------------------------------3--1-----------------------------1--3--------------------------------------------2--1-----------------1--2--------------------------------------------------------3--1--0--1--3--------------------

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------------------------------------1--------------------------------------------------------------------1--2-----2--1--------1--0-----------------------------------------0--1--3-----------------3--1--------3--1-----------------------------1--3--------------------------------------------2--1-----------------1--2--------------------------------------------------------3--1--0--1--3--------------------------------------------
63
Variations:
Open Ab (1,6) - from 6\1:
2 Octave Ab - from 6\1:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------1-----5--6--5-----1--------------------------------------------------------------1--2-----6-----------6-----2--1-----------------------------------------------0--1--3-----------------------------------3--1--0--------------------------------1--3-----------------------------------------------------3--1--------------------1--2-----------------------------------------------------------------2--1--------1--3-----------------------------------------------------------------------------3--1--
2 Octave Ab - from 1\6:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-6--5-----1-----------------------------------------------------------------1-----5--6--------6-----2--1-----------------------------------------------------1--2-----6--------------------------3--1--0-----------------------------------0--1--3-----------------------------------------------3--1-----------------------1--3--------------------------------------------------------------2--1-----------1--2--------------------------------------------------------------------------3--1--3-----------------------------------------
2 Octave Ab - from 3\1 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-------------1-----5--6--5-----1--------------------------------------------------------------1--2-----6-----------6-----2--1--------------------------------------------------1--3-----------------------------------3--1--0-----------------------------------0--1--------------------------------------------------3--1-----------------------1--3--------------------------------------------------------------2--1-----------1--2--------------------------------------------------------------------------3--1--3--------------------
2 Octave Ab - from 3\1 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------------------------------1-----5--6--5-----1--------------------------------------------------------------1--2-----6-----------6-----2--1--------1--0-----------------------------------0--1--3-----------------------------------3--1--------3--1-----------------------1--3--------------------------------------------------------------2--1-----------1--2--------------------------------------------------------------------------3--1--3--------------------------------------------------------------
64
Exercises for the Key of Db

Scale:
Fret Board:
1 2 3
Db Eb F
4 5 6 7
Gb Ab Bb C
3rd
5th
7th
9th
|---Eb--+---F---Gb--+---Ab--+---Bb--+---C---Db
|---C---Db--+---Eb--+---F---Gb--+---Ab--+---Bb
|---Ab--+---Bb--+---C---Db--+---Eb--+---F---Gb
|---Eb--+---F---Gb--+---Ab--+---Bb--+---C---Db
|---C---Db--+---Eb--+---F---Gb--+---Ab--+---Bb
|---Ab--+---Bb--+---C---Db--+---Eb--+---F---Gb
V
I
IV
|---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1
|---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6
|---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4
|---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6---+---7---1
|---7---1---+---2---+---3---4---+---5---+---6
|---5---+---6---+---7---1---+---2---+---3---4
V
2nd
|---2---+---3---4
|---7---1---+---2
|---5---+---6---+
|---2---+---3---4
|---7---1---+---2
|---5---+---6---+
-I
4th
6th
3---4---+---5
+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1
3---4---+---5
+---2---+---3
6---+---7---1
I8th
+---5---+---6
+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
+---5---+---6
+---3---4---+
7---1---+---2
IV
11th
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
6---+---7---1
+---5---+---6
2---+---3---4
Open Db (5,3) - from 5\2 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 6 7 1
-------------------------1--3--1--------------------------------------------------------------1--2-----------2--1--------------------------------------------------1--3-----------------------1--3-----------------------------------1--3--4-----------------------------------4--3--1-----------------------2-----------------------------------------------------2--1-----------1--2--------------------------------------------------------------3--1--3--------
Open Db (5,3) - from 5\2 downward:

1 7 6 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------------------------1--3--1--------------------------------------------------------------1--2-----------2--1--------------------------------------------------1--3-----------------------1--3-----------------------------------1--3--4-----------------------------------4--3--1-----2--1-----------1--2-----------------------------------------------------2--------3--1--3--------------------------------------------------------------

1 2 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
----1--3--1-----------------------------------------------------------------2-----------2--1-----------------------------------------------------1--2--------------------1--3-----------------------------------------1--3--------------------------------4--3--1-----------------------1--3--4-----------------------------------------------2--1-----------1--2--------------------------------------------------------------3--1--3-----------------------------

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------------------------1--3--1-----2--1-----------------------------------------------------1--2-----------2--------1--3-----------------------------------------1--3--------------------------------4--3--1-----------------------1--3--4-----------------------------------------------2--1-----------1--2--------------------------------------------------------------3--1--3-----------------------------------------
65
Variations:
2 Octave Db - from 5\2:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-------------------------1--------6-----10-11-10----6--------1--------------------------------------------1--2-----6--7-----11----------11----7--6-----2--1--------------------------------1--3-----------------------------------------------------1--3-----------------1--3--4-----------------------------------------------------------------4--3--1-----2-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave Db - from 1\11:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
-11-10----6--------1-----------------------------------------------1--------6-----10-11-------11----7--6-----2--1-----------------------------------1--2-----6--7-----11----------------------------------1--3-----------------------1--3--------------------------------------------------------------4--3--1-----1--3--4-----------------------------------------------------------------------------2-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave Db - from 2\2 upward:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
----1--------6-----10-11-10----6--------1-----------------------------------------------2-----6--7-----11----------11----7--6-----2--1-----------------------------------1--2--------------------------------------------------1--3-----------------------1--3--------------------------------------------------------------4--3--1-----1--3--4-----------------------------------------------------------------------------2--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Octave Db - from 2\2 downward:

1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
----------------------------------------------1--------6-----10-11-10----6--------1-----2--1-----------------------------------1--2-----6--7-----11----------11----7--6-----2--------1--3-----------------------1--3--------------------------------------------------------------4--3--1-----1--3--4-----------------------------------------------------------------------------2--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
66

Dobro Scales

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Dobro Scales

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Scale Exercises

For the Standard Tuned Resonator Guitar

Play notes from

# frets away from the root

NOTATION AND TERMINOLOGY

Root Chord Locations

Right Hand Techniques

Open Position (incomplete) G scale:

Open Position G scale from the root on the sixth string:

2 Octave G scale (Open and IV Positions):

Open Position A scale from the root on the first string:

2 Octave A Scale (Open, IV Positions):

2 Octave Melodic G Scale from the root on the sixth string:

Closed Position I Scale - from the root on the sixth string:

Behind the bar:

Closed Position I Scale - from the root on the sixth string:

Play notes from

# frets away from the root

2 Octave Descending 1-3 Pattern in G:

2 Octave Descending 1-6 Pattern in G:

2 Octave Descending 1-7 Pattern in G:

2 Octave Ascending 1-3-2-1 Pattern in G:

2 Octave Descending 1-3-2-1 Pattern in G:

2 Octave Ascending 1-7-6-1 Pattern in G:

2 Octave Descending 1-6-7-1 Pattern in G:

1 Octave Descending 1-6-7-1 Pattern in C:

2 Octave Descending Melodic 1-7-6-1 Pattern in G:

2 Octave Descending 1-2-1 Pattern in G:

2 Octave Ascending 1-7-1 Pattern in G:

2 Octave Descending 1-7-1 Pattern in G:

2 Octave Ascending 1-3-1 Pattern in G:

2 Octave Descending 1-3-1 Pattern in G:

2 Octave Ascending 1-6-1 Pattern in G:

2 Octave Descending 1-2-3 Pattern in G:

2 Octave Descending 1-3-2 Pattern in G:

SCALE EXERCISES BY KEY

The following is an example of the name of an Open exercise:

2 Octave or 2 Octave Melodic.

Optional Initial direction on the scale, upward or downward.

Exercises for the Key of G

Open G (1, 6) - from 6\0:

Open G (1, 6) - from 3\0 upward:

Open G (1, 6) - from 3\0 downward:

2 Octave G - from 6\0:

2 Octave Melodic G - from 6\0:

2 Octave G - from 1\5:

2 Octave Melodic G - from 1\5:

2 Octave G - from 3\0, downward:

2 Octave Melodic G - from 3\0, downward:

2 Octave G - from 3\0, upward:

2 Octave Melodic G - from 3\0, upward:

Exercises for the Key of D

Open D (4, 2) - from 1\0 upward:

Melodic D (4, 2) - from 1\0 upward:

Open D (4, 2) - from 1\0 downward:

Melodic D (4, 2) - from 1\0 downward:

Open D (4, 2) - from 4\0 downward:

Melodic D (4, 2) - from 4\0 downward:

Open D (4, 2) - from 4\0 upward:

Melodic D (4, 2) - from 4\0 upward:

2 Octave Melodic D - from 4\0:

2 Octave D - from 12\0:

2 Octave Melodic D - from 12\0: