#236 - Combining 3NPS + 4NPS Shapes (My Favorite Scale Trick)
Added 2022-08-12 14:30:01 +0000 UTCMy friends, it's time for another exclusive lesson :)
I'm currently waiting for the results of this month's lesson voting, so I'd like to share a concept that I'm currently using a lot - combining 3NPS and 4NPS scales and working with intervallic functions for killer horizontal licks!
Here are your practice files, including a quick workbook to refresh your knowledge about intervallic functions: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Sv45zxLAllnFyxeUevc2OheydjpWHc6m?usp=sharing
Remember that you don't have to play these scales with only your fretting hand, you can also tackle some of the harder 4NPS patterns by tapping or sliding - anything goes :) The most important thing is the theory behind all this, so take your time with internalizing this system!
By the way, here's a Dropbox link in case Google Drive doesn't work for you: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/s9m5hrdoit20hpbk5c3bi/h?dl=0&rlkey=vc9fkpzyhdbtimpwq53f60tz6
And here's the full previous lesson on the intervallic functions: https://www.patreon.com/posts/187-best-for-pro-55080401
Comments
This is something that was pretty powerful for me and I'm sure it's intuitive for most of you but if one person benefits from it, I'll be glad I posted it. You might wonder why the pentatonic minor is 1 b3 4 5 b7. Why are those notes special? Well, any diatonic scale has three minor modes: dorian, phrygian, and aeolian. All three have 1 b3 4 5 and b7 but dorian has a 6 whereas phrygian and aeolian have b6 and likewise, phyrgian has a b2 whereas dorian and aeolian have a 2. So the pentatonic contains the notes common to all minor modes :) Simple right? And it gets really fun when you do a pentatonic run but then add in the "flavor" note...i.e. suddenly end on a b2 to "push" you into phrygian or suddenly add a 6 to push you into dorian. Between the Buried and Me do this a lot.
Sunny Mittal
2023-07-08 02:12:35 +0000 UTCi got a slightly unrelated question. im struggeling with the very basics of music theory and scales. but my question is do you have to know all the notes and its locations on the fretboard brefore you start learning scales?
Sivert Osen
2022-12-10 18:31:13 +0000 UTCBernth, this is really a cool and a powerful concept. Thanks for simplifying and freeing up from the boxes. :)
Enthusiast I
2022-09-09 04:17:42 +0000 UTCYes, you can use 4NPS for pretty much any heptatonic scale :)
Bernd Brodträger
2022-08-22 05:32:32 +0000 UTCBernth I showed this idea to my son who is not a guitarist and he had a valid question. What about the Ionian mode? Seems like that might work better with a 4 note then 3 note option or else there is a big stretch on the second set of notes. What do you do here?
Mike Whitla
2022-08-20 14:36:33 +0000 UTCHi Doug. Nice to meet you!
Mike Whitla
2022-08-19 15:21:54 +0000 UTCAwesome !!! Killer lessons bro !!! For an upcoming lesson could you pick up a flamenco guitar and give us some thoughts and insights on using a pick on nylon strings !!!
william prior
2022-08-18 15:32:31 +0000 UTCduh newbee here dougs my name nice to be here need loadsa heeeelp
Doug Walsh
2022-08-17 20:36:58 +0000 UTCI agree, just got a new Rhoads with a Floyd... I'm ready!
Dave Nicosia
2022-08-17 16:22:34 +0000 UTCI would love to see a video based on like whammy bar tricks or how to incorporate whammy and vibrato better into songs.
Nova williams
2022-08-17 11:38:58 +0000 UTCAh my mind blown. I finally started learning about interval visualization via piano, and now I wish I had learned this 35 years ago from my guitar teachers. There are so many teachers who think interval teaching is too difficult for students to understand but I actually think it makes much more sense. It would actually be cool for you to do some song compositions using interval patterns. I would also love some chord beginner pattern exercises that help with left hand independence. I started playing Voivod Tribal Convictions a song I couldn't play when I was a kid because of poor technique (created too much string noise and unwanted note muting). They play a lot of unusual chords and riffs, that without the proper technique arevery hard. Think of it as a scale or finger independence lesson but instead of single notes it is a combination of chords and riffs based on chord shapes.
Thom Wells
2022-08-15 15:16:29 +0000 UTCLovin this, thanks Bernth
matt green
2022-08-15 13:58:39 +0000 UTCYou're the man! I guess I didnt scroll enough.
Chris Gabbert
2022-08-15 06:17:36 +0000 UTCHello Chris, I think this will help: https://www.patreon.com/posts/129-5-best-43736958
Bernd Brodträger
2022-08-15 05:13:53 +0000 UTCHello there, this one is all about thumb position and pressure, hope it helps: https://www.patreon.com/posts/206-technique-89-60124476
Bernd Brodträger
2022-08-15 05:13:05 +0000 UTCExcellent video. We need a follow up with licks or (even better) a composition. It 's so much better when you can see how you can apply what you ve learned to an actual piece of music.
Evan
2022-08-14 12:38:48 +0000 UTCI have been experimenting with placing my thumb either in the middle of my hand, about in line with my middle finger, or placing it squarely in line with my first finger, or even slightly closer to the headstock. The second option feels more relaxed, but are there any inherent drawbacks with this method, or any advantages I would be missing out on by playing that way? what I immediately notice is that I get better leverage with my thumb more in the center of my hand, and I can press harder, and i can play lighter with my thumb in line with my index finger, which does shore up problems with lack of finger strength, but generally feels better/ lighter. what do you think?
faith rasmusen
2022-08-14 07:35:45 +0000 UTCAhhhh! Thanks so much for this lesson. I’ve been working on my intervals and now you made my practice awesome.
Mark McNish
2022-08-14 00:56:32 +0000 UTCAwesome video! I recently subscribed and I'm looking forward to finally getting past this years long plateau but I do have one question.... Do you have a video where you explain how to best use the metronome? I used one years ago but (i'm stupid) I cant figure out how you're using the metronome to play the exercises. Like in one of the videos I watched, it says 40bpm for the first run through then still 40bpm, you're playing it faster.
Chris Gabbert
2022-08-14 00:44:35 +0000 UTCSuper cool! Cant seem to get my thump behind the middle finger though... :-) Greetings from Copenhagen
Morten Hoff
2022-08-13 22:06:03 +0000 UTC2 string symmetrical scales! My fav
Matt Bentley
2022-08-12 18:56:28 +0000 UTCThat's really helpful. Big thanks for yet more fantastic tips!
Adam Ingram
2022-08-12 16:45:24 +0000 UTCAnother winner, Bernth. Many thanks
Steve Shaw
2022-08-12 16:32:16 +0000 UTCThis mechanism is fantastic thanks a lot
Dave
2022-08-12 16:26:02 +0000 UTCI have my coffee, about to grab my guitar and dive into this lesson! Many thanks Bernth!
Kevin McKinney
2022-08-12 15:01:40 +0000 UTCMade my Day. Thank you so much for this Craaaaazy Sh***** :-D Grüsse aus der Schweiz
Jean-Michel Scheidegger
2022-08-12 14:39:41 +0000 UTC
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