Stage 1. Up And Down
The first stage should be to be able to "cycle" the scale. That is to play it up and down over and over without stopping. This should be done with a metronome to be sure that the timing is even. Try also to focus on the volume of the notes that you play and try to keep it consistent. Be able to play the scale 4 times perfectly, without stopping before you move on.
The first stage should be to be able to "cycle" the scale. That is to play it up and down over and over without stopping. This should be done with a metronome to be sure that the timing is even. Try also to focus on the volume of the notes that you play and try to keep it consistent. Be able to play the scale 4 times perfectly, without stopping before you move on.
Stage 2. Random Direction Changes
Once you can cycle the scale it is time to start changing direction at random. Start this slower than your speed for stage 1 and make sure that you play continuously. Don't pause, stop or start soloing (going off on one...). Try and stick to it being scalular (don't skip notes).
Once you can cycle the scale it is time to start changing direction at random. Start this slower than your speed for stage 1 and make sure that you play continuously. Don't pause, stop or start soloing (going off on one...). Try and stick to it being scalular (don't skip notes).
Stage 3. Random Notes
Now it is time to explore the scale. Play random notes from the scale, be very careful to ONLY play notes from the scale. Play it slowly and get it right. It is easy to rush this one and make mistakes. DON'T MAKE MISTAKES. Ever. There is no point in practicing the wrong thing. Keep the notes evenly timed, explore skipping strings, jumping from very low to very high, generally explore the scale. You will find that this really tests your knowledge of the scale shape.
Now it is time to explore the scale. Play random notes from the scale, be very careful to ONLY play notes from the scale. Play it slowly and get it right. It is easy to rush this one and make mistakes. DON'T MAKE MISTAKES. Ever. There is no point in practicing the wrong thing. Keep the notes evenly timed, explore skipping strings, jumping from very low to very high, generally explore the scale. You will find that this really tests your knowledge of the scale shape.
Stage 4. Play in 3rd's
As you may know, chords are built up in intervals of a 3rd. This means that by playing notes that are a 3rd apart they will tend to sound good together. Often melodies use chord tones, so after some time practicing this pattern, your improvising should start sounding more melodic. You can think of 3rds as playing a note, then missing the next scale step and playing the next. Then go back to the note you missed, and go up a third again (skip a note...). This is a great exercise and I would highly recommend spending a good amount of time on this exercise and getting it really solid, so that it will come out naturally, without you having to think about it.
As you may know, chords are built up in intervals of a 3rd. This means that by playing notes that are a 3rd apart they will tend to sound good together. Often melodies use chord tones, so after some time practicing this pattern, your improvising should start sounding more melodic. You can think of 3rds as playing a note, then missing the next scale step and playing the next. Then go back to the note you missed, and go up a third again (skip a note...). This is a great exercise and I would highly recommend spending a good amount of time on this exercise and getting it really solid, so that it will come out naturally, without you having to think about it.
Stage 5. Four In A Line
Another good pattern to get down is called four in a line. Start on the first note of the scale and play up four notes. Then start on the second note and play up four notes again. Continue this pattern up the scale and then back down. This is a good way of developing a "way out" of a scale, because you are playing four notes of a scale and then skipping.
Another good pattern to get down is called four in a line. Start on the first note of the scale and play up four notes. Then start on the second note and play up four notes again. Continue this pattern up the scale and then back down. This is a good way of developing a "way out" of a scale, because you are playing four notes of a scale and then skipping.
Then get using it... :)
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