The Guitar Player's Resource
Welcome back! In this lesson I will be showing you some wider-type shred lines that using a more modern approach. I will be incorporating different types of patterns into these lines that are odd numbered, like groups of 5's for example, and we will combine those with groups of 4's and 6's. The important thing is to make sure you can play the more common ones, like groups of 3's and 4's.
After you master those, incorporate groups of 5's, 6's and even 7's in the same line. This will make your lines less predictable, and you can apply the idea to any scale. Also, these examples are based on 3 note per string scales by mixing 2 scale patterns together, creating the wider effect. For this lesson, the examples will be based in the minor pentatonic scale. In a future lesson, we will apply this to diminished scales and arpeggios. This type of technique is more common with modern shredders and it you will hear it in all types of music. Let's dig in.
Example 1 is just a 4 note sequence in the E blues scale (E, G, A, Bb, B, D). Here we are mixing 2 patterns together for a more wider effect and I'm using pull offs for a smoother sound. Also, try to alternate pick this example as well.
MP3 - Wider Type Shred Lines, Example 1
Example 2 is built with groups of 5's, which are quintuplets, and it is based off the B minor pentatonic scale (B, D, E, F#, A) and the F# minor pentatonic (F#, A, B, C#, E). Playing a F# minor pentatonic scale over B minor creates a nice effect and it will bring out the 9th interval, which is the C# note. This is common in jazz fusion, and in the first bar on the last beat the pattern moves up a half step and back into the F#m pentatonic scale, which will create an outside effect.
MP3 - Wider Type Shred Lines, Example 2
With Example 3 we have a 6 note sextuplet scale sequence in the E pentatonic scale that moves down the neck fairly quickly. This one can be a finger twister, because it moves between 3 different pentatonic patterns and there is string skipping. Take it slow at first and then speed it up.
MP3 - Wider Type Shred Lines, Example 3
OK, that is it for now! Be sure to make up your own patterns and don't forget to check out my latest CD, "Chameleon". and please visit mikecampese.com for more information.
Mike Campese is an all-around music performer, session artist and teacher competent in many musical styles, electric and acoustic. He has studied at G.I.T. (Honors Graduate), and with Paul Gilbert, Norman Brown, Stanley Jordan, Scott Henderson and Keith Wyatt.
