An exercise to help guitarists\bassists that my teacher showed me when I was learning this stuff he called "target practice".
Unlike other instruments once you know the scale patterns in one key you know the scale patterns for all keys- they're the same you just have to know where to start and stop them. If you know a C scale and want to play a Db scale you just play the same pattern up one fret. The point of this exercise is learn where the roots are.
Play a C on the 6th string, then on the 5th string, then on the 4th, etc. There should be one C per string between the open string and the 12th fret. You don't need to do this fast though you'll be able to do it pretty quickly with a little practice.
Once you've played C on all 6 strings, continue to the next note until you've played through the entire circle of 5ths. Once you can do this and know the CAGED system you can play in any key.
Great article, I did have music lessons when I was young, but never really got to grips with music theory something I just acquired to replay over many years. I’ve ended up being a professional composer. There is just a certain fundamental logic about how the keys and notes work together I always wish I had better theory the theoretical grounding. It’s great to read this. !!
Thanks Giles, glad to hear you found it helpful! Just checked out / subscribed to your publication, appears we share a lot of the same creative philosophy--excited to dive in, cheers!
Great. Im interested in your approach - I’m thinking something around improv vs composed, flow states, musicality and listening vs hearing. We could maybe have a call and see what resonates , and do either a shared article or a video talk?? Call next week? G
An exercise to help guitarists\bassists that my teacher showed me when I was learning this stuff he called "target practice".
Unlike other instruments once you know the scale patterns in one key you know the scale patterns for all keys- they're the same you just have to know where to start and stop them. If you know a C scale and want to play a Db scale you just play the same pattern up one fret. The point of this exercise is learn where the roots are.
Play a C on the 6th string, then on the 5th string, then on the 4th, etc. There should be one C per string between the open string and the 12th fret. You don't need to do this fast though you'll be able to do it pretty quickly with a little practice.
Once you've played C on all 6 strings, continue to the next note until you've played through the entire circle of 5ths. Once you can do this and know the CAGED system you can play in any key.
Great article, I did have music lessons when I was young, but never really got to grips with music theory something I just acquired to replay over many years. I’ve ended up being a professional composer. There is just a certain fundamental logic about how the keys and notes work together I always wish I had better theory the theoretical grounding. It’s great to read this. !!
Thanks Giles, glad to hear you found it helpful! Just checked out / subscribed to your publication, appears we share a lot of the same creative philosophy--excited to dive in, cheers!
Yes , I think we are definitely coming from the same place 👍. Maybe we should collaborate on a post?
send me a message if you have something in mind!
Great. Im interested in your approach - I’m thinking something around improv vs composed, flow states, musicality and listening vs hearing. We could maybe have a call and see what resonates , and do either a shared article or a video talk?? Call next week? G