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Tremolo Exercise- 1234


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Posted

I always assume that people know this exercise but some don't.

I think of it as a very basic alternate picking exercise. I call it a digital pattern. You can play each 4 note pattern on one string or across the fretboard, One position at a time (12 total). The key is that regardless of the direction you travel you use strict alternate picking. Pump up the speed (using a metronome/ drum machine) and over time you'll be blazing.

 

1st finger

1234

1243

1324

1342

1423

1432

 

2nd finger

2341

2314

2431

2413

2134

2143

 

3rd finger

3412

3421

3142

3124

3241

3214

 

4th finger

4123

4132

4213

4231

4312

4321

Posted

your suggesting you play four notes quickly in a pattern with one finger?

 

 

Each pattern uses all four fingers. He just grouped them by which finger you start with.

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Posted

Sorry, I'm kinda confused.

So for, let's say, 1234, it could mean either playing 4 consecutive notes on a single string or 4 consecutive strings on a certain fret?

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Posted

I really love these permutations. Not only are they good practice in a chromatic sense, but if you look at them as scale degrees, they make great sequence exercises as well.

 

Ex. C major goes C D E F G A B C

 

Using the 2-1-4-3 permutation as an example you could ascend the scale as follows:

 

D-C-F-E (2-1-4-3, where C is 1)

E-D-G-F (same sequence, starting on the next note.)

F-E-A-G (continued)

G-F-B-A

A-G-C-B

B-A-D-C

C-B-E-D

D-C-F-E-C (I like to end on the root whenever possible, as this allows the tonality of the scale to be more fully heard. That or practicing over a drone note/chord works well)

 

This is a great way to build some alternate picking chops and familiarizing yourself with some of the more tricky scale forms (such as the melodic/harmonic minor modes)

 

You can use all the permutations listed in the original post with pretty much any exercise as well. If you want an even greater challenge, add the number 5-6-7 or as high as you want to go, and create some longer scale sequences using the above principles.

 

Peace

Q

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Posted

 

you would play 1 2 3 4, as in frets, up and down the strings, and then play 2 3 4 5 up and down the strings, etc. At least I believe this is what he meant.

 

 

That could be one way to look at it. In the chromatic sense, I think it is best to look at them as fingerings as opposed to frets. You could start pretty much anywhere on the neck, just choose what fret each finger gets.

 

There are so many ways to approach these permutations, that with a little creativity, you can give yourself enough exercises (in any technical area) to last a life time.

 

 

 

Suggestions:

1. Try putting hammer-ons/pulloffs between any of the notes

2. Create a 4 (or more) string sweeping exercise, with one note per string

 

EX.

 

-------8-5--------------7--5-------------8-5--------

-----7-----6----------8------6---------6-----7------

---6---------7------6----------8-----7---------6----

-5-------------8--5--------------7-5-------------8--

-----------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------ ETC...

 

 

3. Apply them to the "spiders" mentioned in another thread (adding strings in between for stretch)

 

EX.

 

--------------------------------

--------------------------------

--------------------------------

--------------------------------

--7--8--5--6------7---5---8---6---------

5--6--7--8------5---7---6---8-----------etc...

 

 

 

4. Do them all with your hands inverted (over the top of the neck)

5. Substitute chord tones (like 1-3-5-7, 3-7-9-13... etc) for 1-2-3-4 and practice arpeggios

 

As you can see, the applications of these 4 digits is endless.

 

Peace

Q

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Posted

Each pattern uses all four fingers. He just grouped them by which finger you start with.

 

 

You can think of these permutations in a million ways. It all depends on your imagination and creativity. Here's a basic one across the fretboard in positions.

 

Starting with first finger

1234

E---------------------------------------------1-2-3-4-

B------------------------------------1-2-3-4---------

G---------------------------1-2-3-4------------------

D------------------1-2-3-4---------------------------

A---------1-2-3-4------------------------------------

E-1-2-3-4--------------------------------------------

 

You can do that on every fret up the entire fretboard.

There are 6 patterns that start with the first finger.

 

Starting with the second finger2341

E----------------------------------------------2-3-4-1-----

B------------------------------------2-3-4-1---------------

G---------------------------2-3-4-1----------------------

D------------------2-3-4-1-------------------------------

A---------2-3-4-1----------------------------------------

E-2-3-4-1------------------------------------------------

 

You can do that on every fret up the entire fretboard.

There are 6 patterns that start with the second finger.

 

You get the idea.

 

 

Variation

If you stay on one string in one pattern you work on position shifting and alternate picking simultaneously. Efficient practice is a very good thing.

For example:

E------------------------------------------------------

B------------------------------------------------------

G-----------------------------------------------------

D-----------------------------------------------------

A-----------------------------------------------------

E-1-2-3-4---5-6-7-8--9-10-11-12-------------------------

Keep whatever pattern intact- this is an example of 1234- make sure to shift your entire hand to the next 4 frets.

 

Play the pattern on all 6 strings up the entire fretboard.

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