MASTERING THE FRETBOARD: PART 1

One of the most difficult issues I had when I was learning more advanced techniques was memorizing different scales. I finaly figured out that they were all built on a simple sequence of whole step, half step patterns. Once you break it down scales start to become easy to understand.

Pattern Recognition 
An easy way to learn and remember diatonic scales is to break things down into patterns, three patterns to be exact, each consisting of three notes. Take a look at fig. 1:

fig. 1

Whole step, whole step

Whole step, half step

Half step, whole step

fig.

Diatonic scales are all based on these three patterns, fig. 2. Combining these three patterns creates the whole step/half step patterns needed for any diatonic scale.
















In fig. 3 each number represents the first note of one of the three note patterns, all combined to create the Ionian (Major) scale.

fig. 3

A real world example of this would be the "ladder run" commonly used by Yngwie Malmsteen. When working on this sequence it's best to start slow and work your way up to ultra shred speed.

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MUSICAL ALPHABET (NOTES)

Seven notes 
There are seven letters (notes) in the musical alphabet; each fret position on the guitar has a letter name or an accidental attributed to it.
Starting on the open A string the letter names are A  B  C  D  E  F  G.

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Accidentals 

Notes that don’t have letter names attributed to them are known as accidentals. For example on the A string the note between the first fret open A, and the second fret B is referred to as A sharp B flat. The symbol for a sharp is # and b for flat

When moving from the open "A" to the first fret the note is referred to as A sharp.

When moving to the first fret from the second fret "B" the note is referred to as B flat.

Below is a listing of all the notes on the A string including accidentals. The same pattern of notes repeats an octave higher starting at "A" on the twelfth fret. Note that there are no sharps or flats between B/C and E/F.

E MINOR PENTATONIC: ABUSIVE FINGER EXTENSION LICK

This lick is a variation on the first lead from by Dave Mustaine from the song "The Conjuring" off Megadeth's "Peace Sells But Who's Buying" album. 

The most difficult aspect to this lick is the six fret stretch from the 12th to the 17th fret. I play this using my index finger on the 12th fret, ring finger for the 15th fret, and pinky for the 17th fret. I use this lick, or variations on it, all the time when improvising over a I-IV-V progression. It's flashy like shred since you are using three fingers but versatile like the pentatonic with heavy focus on the root note, and the perfect fourth and fifth.

Ramble On
The first variations are two simple three note patterns, one rooted on 12th fret E and the other rooted on 12th fret B. The three notes for bars one and two are I/IV/VII (E/D/A) and the three notes for bars three and four are V/V+b5/I (B/Bb/E) the note at the 15th fret G string is a diminished 5th.

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Legato Lick

This speedy little variation uses all pull-offs giving it a nice legato feel.

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Quick Run
A decending run variation.

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RESTRING A GUITAR WITHOUT A LOCKNUT

De-tune the strings at a similar rate to reduce the tension on the neck evenly. Remove all the old strings at once or one at a time based on your preference.

Clean the headstock, fret-board, and around the bridge and pickups with guitar polish.

Remove the low E (6th) string from it's package and unwind it, taking care not to kink or knot it.



Put the through the stop tail piece and over the bridge.












Thread the end of the string through the capstan hole and pull it outwards making sure there is little to no slack on the string along the fretboard.










Loop the string clockwise around the capstan then back under the string then pull it back over the top of the string. This will lock the string into place and prevent it from slipping.











Pull the string up slightly over the fretboard to keep the string tightly wrapped around the capstan then wind the tuner button counter clockwise to take up the slack. Make sure that you don't over tighten the string, keep it fairly loose until the rest of the strings are on.







Clip the end of the string with a good pair of wire clipper.

Repeat this process for the rest of the strings and tune the guitar.

TUNING YOUR GUITAR: PART 2

Natural Harmonic Tuning

Typically when I tune my guitar I start with Unison Tuning and then fine tune using Natural Harmonic Tuning. Natural harmonics are played by lightly touching the string directly over the fret without actually pushing down on the strings. Using natural harmonics gives a cleaner note and the beat tone can be heard more clearly. There are no natural harmonics for tuning the B string so the unison tuning method is used.


1: Tuning the low E string
Tune your low E string using the same method you used for unison tuning: pitch pipe, another instrument, or any other reference tone that is in the same pitch of E.

2: Tuning the A string
Lightly place your index finger directly over the fifth fret on the low E string and play the harmonic which will be A. Let the note ring on the E string while you lightly place your ring finger over the 7th fret of the A string and play the note. As in unison tuning if your guitar is out of tune the notes will sound different, you want to raise or lower the pitch of the note by adjusting the tuner for the A string. If A string is out of tune the two notes will oscillate (called "beat tones"), continue adjusting the A string tuner until the notes stop oscillating.











3: Tuning the D string
Once you have finished tuning your A string you can tune the D using the same technique you did for the A string by playing the 5th fret harmonic on the A string and the 7th fret harmonic on the D string.











4: Tuning the G string
Once you have finished tuning your D string you can tune the G using the same technique you did for the D string by playing the 5th fret harmonic on the D string and the 7th fret harmonic on the G string.










5: Tuning the B string
Tune the B string using unison tuning, place your index finger on the 4th fret of the G string and tune the B string to it.












6: Tuning the E string
Once you have finished tuning your B string you can tune the E using the same technique you did for the B string by playing the 5th fret harmonic on the B string and the 7th fret harmonic on the E string.

TUNING YOUR GUITAR: PART 1

If you want to play with a band, or play along to your favorite song then you need to make sure your guitar is in tune. The process of tuning your guitar is simple in concept yet difficult in execution since it relies on the player's ability to judge the difference between two pitches. There are three methods for tuning the electric guitar:

• Unison Tuning
• Natural Harmonics Tuning
• Using an electric tuner (or pitch pipe)

You'll probably want to tune your guitar to standard pitch (which is the most common tuning for the guitar).
E - The thickest, lowest string, also called the 6th stringA - also called the 5th string
D - also called the 4th string
G - also called the 3rd string
B - also called the 2nd stringE - The thinnest, highest string,also called the 1st string
I'll explain the significance of the letter names in a later post so you'll just have to trust me for now.

Unison Tuning

1: Tuning the low E stringStart with the 6th string E (lowest string), unless you have perfect pitch you will need a reference tone the first thing you will need is... you guessed it, a reference tone. You can use a pitch pipe or another instrument to get your reference tone provided that it is the correct pitch of E. If you don't have anything at home you can use try searching for an online tuner.

2: Tuning the A string
Once you have finished tuning your E string place your index finger at the fifth fret on the low E string and play the note which will be A. Let the note ring by keeping your finger on the fifth fret and play the string below it. If your guitar is out of tune the notes will sound different, you want to raise or lower the pitch of the note by adjusting the tuner for the A string. If A string is out of tune the two notes will oscillate (called "beat tones"), continue adjusting the A string tuner until the notes stop oscillating.

3: Tuning the D string
Once you have finished tuning your A string you can tune the D using the same technique you did for the A string place your index finger on the 5th fret of the A string and tune the D string to it.

4: Tuning the G string
Use the same technique to tune the G string, place your index finger on the 5th fret of the D string and tune the G string to it.








5: Tuning the B string
The B string is a bit different, place your index finger on the 4th fret of the G string and tune the B string to it.








6: Tuning the high E string
The High E string uses the same technique that as all the other strings besides the B string. place your index finger on the 5th fret of the B string and tune the E string to it.







If you have just put new strings on your guitar you will need to stretch them and recheck the tuning until they stay in tune.
It will take some practice (and patience) as you get used to tuning your guitar, keep working at it and you'll start to get the hang of it.

ANATOMY OF A SUPER-STRAT

The Super-Strat is a variation on the Fender Stratocaster intended for (although not limited to) a varity of rock/heavy metal playing styles. As technical mastery of the guitar fretboard progressed from the late 70's guitarists such as Dave Murry and Eddie Van Halen began modifying their guitars to suit their playing style. Grover Jackson is credited as having created the first mass production Super-Strat after buying the Charvel brand in the early 80's. The Super-Strat went into decline in the 90's along with shred style playing, many manufactures were either bought out by other companies or went out of business altogether although there has been a resurgence of interest in technical playing and the instruments suited for it in recent years.

Common features of a Super-Strat include:

• Thiner neck for better playability wider fret board to allow for faster alternate picking
• Jumbo frets that allow for easier bending and a more distinct stop when sliding to a particular fret
• Necks can have 24 frets allowing the player to reach two octaves
• Locking nut and bridge keeping the strings in tune under aggressive bending and tremolo techniques
• Humbucker pickup in the bridge position for lower noise levels when playing with high gain distortion.

Popular Manufacturers:

• Jackson
• Charvel
• Ibanez
• Hammer
• Kramer
• Dean
• Guild

For more information on the history of the Super-Strat check out this Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superstrat