Descending Diagonal Scales

by Jim Wolverton
(Germany)

I am pretty comfortable with ascending diagonal scales now, but what about descending? Seems a bit more awkward and easier to lose your way, any tips?

Jim

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Hello,

This is a nice question about the diagoal playing aspect of playing the guitar.

I think the general tendency for guitarists is to "fumble over their index" when they go down the fretboard. I believe it comes partly from being used to ascending all the time and also from awkward fingerings for the descending portion.


So I have three suggestions :

1- Learn to shift with the index when coming down. Devise a different set of fingerings that work well *for you* in descending the diagonal scales / exercises.

2- Practice MORE the descending version for now! Say, ascend only once and descend the same exercise 3-4 times. You'll get used to it fast then...

3- Try to master single-string *and* positions as the diagonal playing is simply a blend of both.

If you know your positions really well, you merely have to shift at the right moment to make a diagonal move... and your "shifting" skills will be greatly enhance by a deep knowledge of the fretboard from single-string playing.


I hope this helps,
Please ask more other questions
(or refine your current question) in the comments below.

Practice Well,
Marc-A