String Skipping Lines

Welcome back! In this lesson I will be showing you some string skipping lines that I like to use in my playing. A couple of these examples are from my latest CD "Electric City". I covered some similar techniques in previous lessons and would like to share some more with you. Some of these may be a bit tricky at first, but with practice they will be easy to play. You might want to follow the suggested fingerings.

Example 1. This first example is in the key of D major (D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#) except the Bb note in bar 2, which is derived from the D minor scale (D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C). There is a cool string skipping pattern at the end of bar 2 that repeats down the scale. This one can be tricky, be sure to follow the suggested fingerings.

MP3 - Example 1

Example 2. This next example is from a tune of mine called "Heavy Thing" from my "Electric City" CD, it begins at about 1:41. This example is based on the C minor scale (C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb). The first bar uses some pull-offs that creates a smoother effect, but you could try picking every note. Be sure to alternate pick all these examples.

MP3 - Example 2

Example 3. This line is also from the tune "Heavy Thing" and it begins around 2:37. It is similar to what I played on that track and can be a great picking exercise, try to keep repeating it. You could also experiment by using pull-offs for all of it.

MP3 - Example 3

Example 4. Here we have a string skipping idea that is played in a more chordal type fashion that is arpeggiated. This line is based from the E Mixolydian scale (E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D). If you analyze the arpeggio's, the first bar is basically a E5 to a E sus 4 to E major. Bar 2 is a D5 with a added #4 to D major and to D sus 2 and the last bar winds down with a pedal point line.

MP3 - Example 4

OK, that's it for this lesson! Be sure to make up your own examples and don't forget to check out my latest CD "Electric City" on this amazing site. Visit mikecampese.com for more information.