guitarhabits

Photo by Janek Mann
The one thing most beginners hate to practice is scales, because they don’t see the point of it. It takes some practice to learn scales properly and then it takes another while before you can use them as a tool for your playing. Patience is a virtue.

But once you master the major scales you can really unlock their full potential.

Scales are used for improvisation, analyzing chords, progressions, warming up, speed picking practice and much more. In other words just about everything that is important to become a good guitar player.

When the time is right you will recognize the importance and effectiveness of scale practice.

Today I wrote down 7 basic major scales for you to practice. One scale for every whole note. In music there are 7 whole notes. Whole notes are: A B C D E F G.

Most of the scales below are open major scales, which means they contain open string notes.

Play the scales using alternate picking (alternating up and down strokes ascending and descending).

While there are many other scales, the pentatonic scale and the major scale are the two most important scales to know. With these two scales you can already rule the world.

Study the major scales thoroughly. It’s good for you!

A MAJOR SCALE
e:------------------------------2-4-5-----------------------------------|
B:-----------------------2-3-5------------------------------------------|
G:----------------1-2-4-------------------------------------------------|
D:---------0-2-4--------------------------------------------------------|
A:--0-2-4---------------------------------------------------------------|
E:----------------------------------------------------------------------|
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Photo by Jsome1
Playing 3 notes per string exercises is something I do on a regular basis. I use them to warm up, to become a faster guitar player and to spice up my improvisation.

3 notes per string licks and scales are generally used for speed picking. Whenever you hear a guitar player playing these really fast terrifying licks, it’s probably a 3 notes per string lick. Paul Gilbert of Mr.Big is one of many great experts in this field.

If you practice these exercises properly and often enough you will increase your speed. Because of the 3 notes per string technique it will create a particular cool sound once you will start playing faster.

The 3 notes per string exercises are played using the alternate picking technique. There are other techniques as well like sweep picking but alternate picking is the most common one. Alternative picking means you hold the pick between your thumb and index finger with the pointed end facing toward the strings. You strictly use alternating down and up strokes. The first note you play is downstroke, the second an upstroke, the third one a downstroke, the fourth one an upstroke and so on.

Once you get the hang of it, it can become quite addictive, but be careful though. Don’t overdo it when you are soloing or improvising in front of an audience. It can become boring after a while. Use it now and then and you will sound great. For speed practice and improving your alternative picking technique use the 3 notes per string exercises as much as you can.

The one and only reason why these monster guitar players become so incredibly fast is that they practice long hours for days, weeks, months and years. And why do you want to do that? Because it’s fun and because you’ll get better and the better a guitar player you’ll become the more you want to practice.

If you are ready for the challenge practice these 21 cool 3 notes per string licks, scales, exercises and feel the rush!

Practice slow first and then gradually build up speed.
Have fun!

EXERCISE #1 (E minor pattern)
e:-----------------------------------------0-10-12----------------------|
B:---------------------------------0-8-10-------------------------------|
G:-------------------------0-7-9----------------------------------------|
D:-----------------0-5-7------------------------------------------------|
A:---------0-5-7--------------------------------------------------------|
E:--0-3-5---------------------------------------------------------------|
 

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Photo by rolands.lakis
I know it is easier said than done to learn a song in one week, but it is quite possible. Of course you have to take one thing into account:

You have to choose a song that fits your capabilities. The song you are able to learn depends on whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced guitar player and the amount of time you can afford to practice.

A beginner could learn a basic pop / rock song in one week, while an intermediate or advanced guitar player could figure out a more advanced piece of music, but that’s not really the point I’m trying to make.

With all the busy schedules nowadays it’s hard to still find any time or motivation left to learn your favorite guitar song within an reasonable amount of time. Assuming you are a hard working male or female working from 9 to 5 or a college student role model you need a good practical way to get the job done.

Let’s see take a look how to approach this in seven days: Read More »

Photo by Simone13 AKA John Pastorello
Besides writing and playing songs I just love improvising.

When I practice improvising I always first pour myself a cup of green tea, I put on some folk music (e.g. Ray La Montagne, Damien Rice, Stephen Fretwell, Glen Hansard, Sheryl Crow, etc.) on Last.fm or Spotify.com and then I start to improvise over these songs. I get totally caught up in the moment and let my fingers carry me away.

Other times I practice melodic patterns, triads, arpeggios, licks, everything that will spice up my improvisation skills. You can never stop growing. There is always more to learn and explore.

Improvising is one of the most fun and fulfilling aspects of guitar playing, but also something that requires a lot of hard work and dedication. It’s the next step in becoming a better guitar player.

Here are 10 essentials that will help you to turn into an improvisation expert:

1 – Pentatonics

Learn to play the pentatonic/blues scale all over the neck in all five shapes. This will take a while, but be patient and persistent. It’s good for you. The Pentatonic scale is the corner stone of all soloing in blues, pop, country, rock and metal. Learn not only the scale, but also how to use it for improvisation. See below. Read More »

Photo by Batega
There are times when I don’t have my guitar with me or I can’t play for whatever reason and I am really eager to improve my skills and give my playing a boost.

When my kids are watching TV and I can’t interrupt, when I’m sitting or waiting somewhere and I am bored out of my skull I like to use my time wisely practicing without the guitar.

One of my favorite ways doing this is memorizing the notes of the scales, chords and random notes on the fretboard. I have noticed that knowing my way around the fretboard has an amazing impact on my playing.

Besides guitar playing there are a lot of things you can do to improve your playing. These are all things that really matter and make a big difference on you becoming an advanced player.

Here are 5 ways how to practice without the guitar:

1 – Memorize
Memorize all the notes on the fretboard one string at a time. Memorizing the notes on the low E string and A string is a must for every guitar player. Most barre chords, power chords and scales start off on these strings, so the notes on these strings determine what the name of the chords or scale is. Read More »

Sunrise in Machu Picchu by thecsman
Since a year now I have been waking up early. Going from 6 a.m to 5 a.m. My life has changed because of it.

Finally I have the time to do everything that I love to do: practicing guitar, running my business, writing a blog, writing songs, working out, reading, spending a lot of time with my wife and children.

It’s the greatest reward and reminder for waking up early.

I wake up early at least 5 days a week. I like to wake up early two or three days in a row and then one day sleep late. (7.30 a.m.) At night I go to bed at 11 p.m. Not a minute later. If I go to bed at 12 p.m. and try to wake up early it won’t work. I tried many different ways and figured out the one that worked best for me. I think this is different for everyone so you have to experiment with this.

Originally I am a night owl and waking up early is not something that came naturally for me, but it has become a habit and it’s the best thing ever!

Here are the 8 tips that do work: Read More »