what's this called

[drwscefn]

what the the name for this type of scale (using an E pentonic minor)

e ------------------------------------------------------------
b ------------------------------------------------------------
g -----------------------------------------------------------etc
d -------------------------------12----12-14-12----
a -----------12----12-14-12-14----14-----------------
e -15-12-15-----15-------------------------------------------

where you are playing the scale but going up two then down one etc.

I've noticed them a lot in guitar solos (as a method of getting from A to B), i use them myself, but i'm not sure what they are called.

plus, any tips on how to play them faster (as in Kirk Hammetts 'Sad But True' solo)?
i use strict alternate picking, but my hands just won't move quick enough.

Thanks.

[cyberfret]

It is called a scale pattern, or a scale sequence. In your example you start on the 2nd note of the scale, go back to the 1st, and then the 2nd note again (212). Then you play the 3rd note in the scale, go back to the 2nd, and then to the 3rd again.(323) So you once you have the idea you can apply this to any scale. The sequence is 212, 323, 434, 545...etc.

You could do exactly the same thing coming back down....545, 434, 323, 212

Or you could reverse the sequence coming back down....454, 343, 232, 121

Here are some other patterns that you might try. If there are 2 or 4 notes in the sequence, play using 8th notes (2 times per beat) or 16th notes (4 times per beat). If there are 3 notes in the sequence, use 8th triplets (3 times per beat) , or 16th note triplets (6 times per beat).

Scale Patterns

1231, 2342, 3453
1321, 2432, 3543.....
1234, 2345, 3456......

123, 234, 345.....
121, 232, 343....
212, 323, 434...This is the one that you have tabbed out

You can really take any number sequence and apply it to a scale. This is great for building technique, and melodic material that you can use for solos.

As for getting them faster....try and keep your left hand and right hand motion to a minimum. Practice with a metronome....start slow and accurate, the start to slowly increase the speed. It takes some consistent practice to get those fingers flying :)

--Shawn

[drwscefn]

Many Thanks :D