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Paul Gilbert: 3 note-per-string major scale patterns

A video lesson with free, high-quality tab

Total Guitar (Paul Gilbert/Steve Allsworth), Tue 15 Sep 2009, 5:12 pm UTC

Three-note-per-string licks (we'll call them 3 n-p-s, for short) are great for navigating comfortably around the neck because of the natural arrangement of a lot of notes and scales on guitar.

Many scale shapes can be repeated across the neck using a simple fingering pattern. Paul's examples play upon this idea, where each two-string idea uses exactly the same frets and fingering on each string. This approach will really benefit your speed because you'll only have to memorise a few simple geometric shapes.

Unfortunately, these licks sound best when played at high speed, and this can be very difficult when every note is picked. Practising slowly and repetitively is the only way to master this technique-driven lick.

Ideally, you should use a metronome, starting slowly and gradually building speed, because this will help you perfect your timing.


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Paul Gilbert

Paul Gilbert playing in patterns

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