This lesson will cover three popular techniques that are used in performing lead guitar. These techniques will include; “Hybrid Picking,” “Legato,” and “Scale Sequencing.” Each technique will be broken down in detail and the lesson includes a free jam-track and PDF handout for at home practice…
HYBRID PICKING TECHNIQUE:
When a guitar player uses their middle finger along with their flat-pick (plectrum), to create single-note string skipped lines, or two-note chord lines, it is referred to as, “Hybrid Picking.”
Guitar players, no matter their playing level, can start working on this “pick and finger” technique at any time by using a simple two-note idea such as octaves, or any other 2-note interval.
Begin the practice by moving along two guitar strings laterally playing the lower note with the guitar pick and the upper note with the middle finger.
Once the general ability for Hybrid Picking has been developed, advance to performing a harmonized major and minor line, such as the sixth interval study that is shown below.
LEGATO TECHNIQUE:
Legato is a way to get a very smooth and connected sound when performing scale lines. Practice this technique by using hammer-ons and pull-offs across a scale. Strive for achieving both a fluid as well as, well connected sound off of each note.
Mastering legato technique will require that the performance of ascending legato work be executed with “hammer-on’s” (H), and any descending legato phrases will apply, “pull-off’s,” (P).
To begin developing this technique in your playing, study the legato practice exercise shown below. Apply hammer-on’s for the ascending note runs, and use pull-off’s for the descending notes.
SEQUENCING WITH A SCALE:
Using a mathematical sequence through a scale will create both a repetitive as well as, a concise sounding melody line. Sequencing ideas are a great way to augment your lead playing with a tight, consecutive melodic idea.
Sequenced melody parts can ascend through any scale (major or minor) and then descend, (or vice versa), or skip over notes. There are many different ways to apply them in music.
The important part is that the melodic sequences end up following a repeating pattern. This pattern can begin upon any note of the scale that you are using.
Learn the scale sequence idea shown in the practice routine example below. This exercise applies a common “Diatonic 3rd’s” sequence… listed under the study as common sequence (a).
Common Sequences Include:
(a). 1, 3 – 2, 4 – 3, 5 – 4, 6… etc.
(b). 1, 2, 3, 1 – 2, 3, 4, 2 – 3, 4, 5, 3 … etc.
(c). 1, 2, 3, 4 – 2, 3, 4, 5 – 3, 4, 5, 6…etc.
CONCLUSION:
Playing melodies that include advanced techniques like Hybrid Picking, Legato and Sequencing will help to augment your melodic phrases in unique and interesting ways.
Once you learn more about using advanced phrases, the melodic lines that you play will become unique to each musical concept they are applied to.
As an individual studying music, your own particular guitar playing will lead you to perform each new technique in a different way, (depending upon that of your own personal background, musical interests and the choice of guitar style that you create).
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