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Variations and positions

Example 1: Here Frank shows us all of the possible positions to play the note of E that corresponds to the highest space in the stave, remembering that guitar sounds one octave lower than its written pitch. The fact that each note can be found in so many places is often viewed as a disadvantage and is often used as an excuse as to why guitarists on the whole are poor readers. Frank, however, sees it as an advantage, as we're about to see.

Example 2: Our next example shows the regular A minor pentatonic scale using the conventional two-notes-per-string approach. If you look at the picking indications you'll see that here Frank uses alternate picking.

Variations 1-5: Here Frank shows us how he sees multiple fingering options as an advantage by taking us though a bunch of different fingering variations; some easy and some not so easy. Remember, the actual notes are exactly the same; it's just the fingering and related fretboard positions that change.

Variation 6: Frank's favourite by far. A typical Gambale trait is to re-finger scales and arpeggios to allow the pick to play as many notes as possible with each stroke; commonly known as sweep picking. The number of notes on each string is a factor; odd numbers allow the pick to continue in the same direction whilst an even number signals a change of direction. By reorganising the notes from their original 2-2-2-1 formation, Frank's 1,1,3,2 configuration allows him to sweep through the scale with minimum effort.

Click 'see all pictures' in the picture box for full-sized tab.

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