Lead Guitar Patterns
In this lesson will learn several popular lead guitar patterns and how to incorporate these patterns with a fingerpicking style. Only the most commonly used patterns will feature throughout this book. For further information on lead guitar patterns see Progressive Scales and Modes for Lead Guitar.
The licks so far were played within the first five frets. This lesson will introduce several scale patterns located in higher positions on the fretboard. These patterns can be used to create licks in the same way the open position patterns were used. The first extra patterns to learn are the A minor pentatonic scale, pattern one and the A Blues scale, pattern one. Both patterns are located between the 5th and 8th frets.
A Minor Pentatonic Scale
(Pattern One)
A Blues Scale
(Pattern One)
The following licks use the previous patterns. Special attention should be given to the suggested right hand fingering.
Additional Notes
The following diagram highlights some additional notes which are often used within the Minor Pentatonic and Blues patterns, position 5. These notes are taken from the Major scale. For more information on scales and patterns see Progressive Scales and Modes for Lead Guitar.
The Hammer-on
The hammer-on produces a note artificially by hammering a finger of the left hand onto a string. The impact of the string against the fretboard will cause the string to sound the note of the hammered fret. The following example is played within the previous pattern and features a hammer-on. A hammer-on is indicated by a curved line and the symbol H.
Movable Patterns
All lead guitar patterns can be played in different keys by simply moving the pattern up and down the fretboard. The following diagrams highlight the G and C minor pentatonic/blues scales with the additional notes.
The G position is located between the 3rd and 8th frets. The C position is located between the 8th and 11th frets. Special attention should be given to position of the boxed key note. Study the following diagrams.
G Minor Pentatonic/blues
C Minor Pentatonic/bluesl
The Pull-off
The pull-off is another popular left hand technique which can be applied to a fingerpicking style. The pull-off produces a note artificially with the left hand. This time a left hand finger is pulled away from the string after fretting the note.
If played correctly, the action of the finger leaving the string will cause the string to sound. The following example features a pull-off. A pull-off is indicated by a curved line and the symbol P.
The following lick is in played in the G position, featuring both hammer-ons and pull-offs.
Pattern Two
The second lead guitar pattern is also commonly used in all styles of Rock. Pattern two in the key of A is located between the 7th and 11th frets. The following diagram highlights the Minor Pentatonic pattern. The extra note to complete the Blues scale has also been included in the diagram, along with some additional notes.
The Slide
This technique involves sliding between two notes on the same string whilst still fretting the string firmly against the fretboard. If played correctly the sound of the second note is produced artificially. The second note is not played with the right hand. The following example is played using the previous pattern and features a slide. A slide is indicated by a straight line and the symbol S.
Connecting Patterns
It is now possible to review all three positions introduced in this book for the Minor Pentatonic and Blues scales. The following diagram highlights the Minor Pentatonic notes (black), the extra note to complete the Blues scale (shaded) and the common additional notes found within the patterns.
The Bend
The third finger bends the string upwards, with the help of the second finger.
The bend is achieved by bending a string with the left hand in the direction of the adjacent strings, causing the note to rise in pitch. This is done with the left hand finger which is fretting the note. This technique is demonstrated in the following example.
In order to bend the note successfully, bend the string with the help of the second finger as well. This can be seen in the accompanying photograph. The symbol B and a curved line indicate a bend. The bracketed fret number indicates the correct pitch the note is to bent.
The bend is featured in the following lick. All three patterns studied so far are used.
The Release Bend
The release bend is played by first bending the note indicated with the left hand, plucking the string whilst bent, then returning the string to its normal position. If played correctly the release bend creates a drop in pitch from a higher note to a lower note. A release bend is used in the following exercise.
Bend the note on the 1st string, 8th fret. Pick the 1st string with the right hand while the string is bent. Immediately after striking the string and still maintaining pressure on the note against the fretboard release the string carefully to its normal position. The release bend is indicated by a curved line and the symbol R.
Vibrato
Another popular guitar technique used frequently throughout all forms of Blues guitar is the vibrato. The vibrato is another technique controlled with the left hand finger which is fretting the note.
This technique involves moving the string rapidly back and forth in the direction of the adjacent strings as the left hand finger is fretting the note. Vibrato is used in the following example. Vibrato is indicated by a wavy line above the note.
