More of this Feature • Part 1: overview • Part 2: chromatic scale • Part 3: open 7th chords • Part 4: barre chord intro • Part 5: strumming patterns • Part 6: learning songs • Part 7: practice schedule

Related Content • Index of Guitar Lessons • Buying Your First Guitar • How to Read Guitar Tab • Easy to Play Songs • Guitar Chord Library

If you think all the way back to lesson one, you'll recall we previously learned a chromatic scale pattern. We used that scale as a means of getting our fingers accustomed to pressing down frets on the guitar. Here again, we will study another method of playing this scale, except farther up on the neck. The goal of learning this new scale position is to get our fretting hand to move smoothly and quickly all over the neck.
Before we begin, let's clarify exactly what a "chromatic scale" is. In Western music, there are 12 different musical pitches (A, Bb, B, C, Db, D, Eb, E, F, Gb, G, Ab). The chromatic scale includes EACH of these 12 pitches. So, we could actually play a chromatic scale simply by sliding our finger up one string, playing each fret.
Our reason for learning the chromatic scale, at this point, is simply as a means of improving our finger technique. Start by placing your first finger on the fifth fret of the sixth string, and play that note with a downstroke. Follow that by using your second finger to play the sixth fret of the sixth string (with an upstroke). Then, your third finger should play the seventh fret on the sixth string, and lastly, your fourth (pinky) finger should play the eighth fret.
Now, move on to the fifth string. Playing this string will require a "position shift" in your fretting hand. Move your hand position down one fret, starting on the fourth fret of the fifth string with your first finger. Play each note on that string, as you did on the sixth. Repeat this process on each of the sixth strings (notice that you DON'T switch positions on the second string. This is because the second string is tuned differently than the other five.)
When you reach the first string, play the first fret with your first finger, as usual. Then, immediately switch positions, and also play the second fret with your first finger. This step allows you to reach the fifth fret, thus completing the two octave A chromatic scale. When you've reached the end of the scale, try playing it backwards.

Remember:

• Keep your fretting hand as loose as possible. Don't grip the neck too tightly, or switching positions will become more difficult.
• Try and set up a steady rhythm while playing the scale. Focus on making it sound as fluid as possible. Play the scale as slowly as necessary in order to make the tempo even throughout.
• Alternate picking here is extremely important. Don't allow yourself to be careless.
• Try looking at your picking hand while you play, instead of at your fretting hand. Is it doing everything as efficiently as it should?
• Don't rush through this exercise, and don't allow yourself to get frustrated. Pay careful attention to any minor flaws in your technique, and try to remedy them.

Next page > Open 7th Chords > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7