Guest Columnists

Where To Go, When Playing Fast 16th Note Runs?

Can you sound musical, creative and original using the same scales as everyone else? Michael Shouse says yes.

by Michael Shouse June-July 2008 · Guitar Technique · Guest Columnists

We've all learned the same old 3 note per string runs, going up and down a scale. Some of you may think it is cool to play fast, so we do. Then we wonder, "How can I use this and make it sound musical, creative and ORIGINAL and not play just a fast run in a scale?" Well I have asked myself that question and tried to find ways of moving around the 3 note patterns, moving up and down and around, flowing effortlessly without sounding stale and predictable.

Maybe you find yourself starting a run on the 6th string and blazing through the pattern to the 1st string. Or, starting at the 1st string and play down the pattern. To what end? Where do you go next? Here are some ways to move freely through the patterns, taking you on a musical roller coaster ride, up and down and around.

Use these sequences in every mode, not just the patterns shown.

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Example 4

Example 5

Example 6

Example 7

Example 8

Add these ideas at the beginning or end of runs you all ready know, or between runs, linking them together smoothly. Check out the video examples of the above here.

What it is about

With pictures With video

The writer

Michael Shouse

Mike Shouse is guitarist from Lexington, Kentucky who has been playing guitar for 19 years. He has taught privately, and recorded his first CD, "Enter the Soul", in 2000.

He is currently working on a new CD that will be out this fall called "Alone On The Sun".

Michael Shouse's web site ↗