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Posted by: ChaotiClown Aug 20 2009, 11:53 PM

I have been following Andrews Cockburn's lesson "The Scales of Justice". My question is while learning these scales, should I be using Danilo Capezzuto's "spider" technique? I'm not too sure about the proper mechanics while playing through the notes. I don't want to start any bad habits in these early stages. Any advice will be appreciated

Posted by: Jakub Luptovec Aug 21 2009, 09:37 AM

Well there is many ways in which you can learn the patterns - its all about finding which works for you.

I dont know, what the spider technique is (can you post me a link to the lesson, where Danilo mentions it?) but some others:

Either you can just drill them mindlessly.

You can use horizontal approach - learning 3 nps boxes and connecting them with slides from one to other (as seen here http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/pentatonic-sliding-lesson/ )

You can use vertical approach (i.e. boxes... that means scales starting from first, third, fifth and seventh on the thickest string)

You can also use the caged system (for major scale): http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/lessonviewer/view_image.php?id=11546 (this is based on C, A, G, E and D open chords - the first and easiest chords you learnt)

There is much more ways, but those are the most common I think.

Also - which scale are you practicing, might I ask?

Posted by: ChaotiClown Aug 21 2009, 10:43 AM

QUOTE (Jakub Luptovec @ Aug 21 2009, 04:37 AM)

Well there is many ways in which you can learn the patterns - its all about finding which works for you.

I dont know, what the spider technique is (can you post me a link to the lesson, where Danilo mentions it?) but some others:

Either you can just drill them mindlessly.

You can use horizontal approach - learning 3 nps boxes and connecting them with slides from one to other (as seen here http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/pentatonic-sliding-lesson/ )

You can use vertical approach (i.e. boxes... that means scales starting from first, third, fifth and seventh on the thickest string)

You can also use the caged system (for major scale): http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/lessonviewer/view_image.php?id=11546 (this is based on C, A, G, E and D open chords - the first and easiest chords you learnt)

There is much more ways, but those are the most common I think.

Also - which scale are you practicing, might I ask?

Posted by: Jakub Luptovec Aug 21 2009, 11:22 AM

But if you are practicing good timing and alternate picking right from the start, you are on the right track;)

Well regarding minor pentatonics - it has 5 boxes as seen here, which repeat every 12 frets (= octave)
(although the 1st one there is actually the last one.. the 2nd is the first one )

And regarding pentatonics as whole, they are basically simplified scales - instead of 7 notes (diatonic) they have 5 notes (pentatonic). For start all you have to know is, that we have Minor and Major pentatonic. Later on, as you will delve deeper into the theory behind it, you will understand the relations they have.. but for now just learn the both pentatonics up and down

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Aug 21 2009, 07:54 PM

If you want to practice scales, here are some of my lessons for it:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/pentatonic-workshop-level1-caged-format-timing-exercises/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/mastering_diatonic_pattern_caged_method/

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/mastering_diatonic_patterns_3_note-per-string_method_/

Posted by: ChaotiClown Aug 22 2009, 02:40 AM

Thanks guys. I will also take a look at your lessons Ivan.

Posted by: Matt23 Aug 22 2009, 11:25 AM

Yeh I agree with everything that's been said. Just try both and see what works best. There will probably be advantages to both methods, so if you can be bothered, learn them both, and use them both where they work best.

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Aug 22 2009, 12:47 PM

Danilo's exercises lessons are very useful to get your fretting/picking technique together when you are starting. I would recommend to go through those lessons: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/instructor/Danilo-Capezzuto
Finger sync series is especially good to make your hands work together.

Posted by: Mitch Roberts Aug 27 2009, 06:34 AM

Im assuming you are working on pentatonic scales, definately do your research on fingering beforehand as to not make any bad habits. Also, when i was learning my pentatonic and diatonic scales i saw it as a great way to work on picking technique. Pentatonic - 2 notes per string, alternate picking. Diatonic - 3 notes per string, economy picking. If you arent sure what economy picking is, if your playing a scale that has 3 notes per string, while your going from your lowest string to highest, pick D/U/D D/U/D, and then ascending from high E to low E pick U/D/U U/D/U. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone!

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Aug 27 2009, 11:46 PM

QUOTE (Mitch Roberts @ Aug 27 2009, 07:34 AM)

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Aug 28 2009, 06:27 PM

Excellent suggestions especially from fellow instructor Mitch!

I would add one thing to everything. Record yourself as much as you can. Try to do both audio and video and you will hear(and see) things that need improvement. Sometimes you are not even aware of mistakes you make before hearing recording of yourself. Reason for this is because guitar playing is complex process. You focus on what left and right hand need to do, what notes to play, what chords to play, to be in time with band etc All this puts a lot of pressure and sometimes ears are not 100% tuned in to listen what actually comes out of your instrument. This is why recording is highly recommended!
Good luck and have fun

Posted by: ChaotiClown Aug 28 2009, 09:22 PM

Thanks guys! I have been practicing Ivan's lesson "Pentatonic Workshop Level 1". So far I can play the scale with AP as fast as 8th note trips, but am struggling with the 16th note and 16th note trips. I can't seem to get both hands working together enough to move that fast, but I am guessing lots of practice is the only way to get there. I would like to do some recording and vids but as of now, I don't have the equipment. Any suggestions on a decent webcam and some type of audio interface? I don't have a lot of money to spend on this right now, so what is the most economical equipment that will still give me decent enough results to post some stuff on here in the future? Again, thanks guys for all the help!