Tag: Chromatic scale

Pat Metheny Clinic and Chromatic scale Exercise

Not too long ago I posted this guitar exercise video: the never-ending chromatic scale. find the original post here:

http://www.TrueGuitarist.com/never-ending-chromatic-scale/

Just yesterday I found this video of a clinic by Pat Metheny. Check out the video, what he’s doin at the very beginning is exactly what I am talking about.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=oQI_ZP8t6LQ

Never-ending chromatic scale

Never ending chromatic scale exercise.

I think this video is pretty self explanatory. All you have to do is play a continuous chromatic scale without ever breaking the flow of semitones, without any restrictions in terms of fingering or direction on the fretboard. This means you are free to move up, down, diagonally, shift position on a single string play diagonally, as long as you move a semitone (= a fret) up or down. The goal is to have a very even sound no matter what you decide to do. This will give you a more improvised approach to your study of technique, much closer to a real playing situation. After you got the concept and you feel comfortable with the exercise, get the metronome out, and challenge yourself to play this faster, or longer, without making mistakes.