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The exercises are explained in detail in the book. We take you step
by step through each one. The first exercise on this page uses a major
scale. In the book, we would first talk about and show you how to play
scales. We discuss what notes make up each scale, how to transpose
exercises into any key, etc. So, if you're just a beginner, don't worry,
everything is expained for you. If you're an intermediate or advanced
guitarist, you can start right in on the exercises. There are plenty of
them to keep you busy for a long time, and they get quite challenging.
Try the scale exercise below. Here we've used a major scale, but we've
divided it into groups of three. Play the first three notes of the scale,
then play three more notes, but start with the second note of the scale
this time, then start with the third, etc. Practice it for a little while
and you will start to see a pattern. No rhythm is shown here. Use a straight
rhythm throughout the exercise, such as all quarter notes, or play each
group of three as a triplet.
Once you develop speed with this exercise, you'll start to see how it can
be useful in guitar riffs, and solos. Have fun with it.
The book contains literally hundreds of fretboard diagrams
to help you visualize the scales, chords, exercises, etc. Here you can see
five blues patterns. We later discuss how to improvise using the pentatonic
and blues scales, and the seven modes. We also include exercises for these
scales as well. You'll be able to link patterns like these together, which
will allow you to play in key anywhere on the guitar neck.
The next exercise uses the E Aeolian mode. If you're unfamiliar with modes,
Aeolian is the same as a Natural Minor scale. All this is explained in detail
in the book. Advanced guitarists know how important modes are. If you understand
how, where and when to play them, you will be able to move freely around the
guitar playing in key all the time.
The exercise shown here takes a minor scale and "spreads it out" so it covers
a large portion of the guitar neck. We include a variety of these types of
exercises to help you get used to playing on every fret of your guitar. Again,
play the exercise with a steady, even rhythm.
The "Getting In Shape" section of our book includes hundreds
of tablature exercises that cover an unbelievable amount of finger combinations.
They will improve your playing speed, accuracy, and coordination. We've also
included playing techniques in this section. You'll get exercises to help you
with alternate picking, tapping, hammer-ons and pull-offs, and much more.
We've included a few non-musical exercises as well. Take a look at the one shown
below. This one doesn't involve playing any notes, but it's fun and quite effective.
It's a simple looking exercise, but almost no one can do it perfectly the first
time they try it. It will help you develop finger independance because it forces
your brain to concentrate on each individual finger movement. Begin by placing four
fingers on the sixth string. Make sure each finger is on a different fret. Now,
lift only your index and ring finger both at the same time. This is shown in the
first picture. It's not as easy as it looks. Next, place those fingers back down,
and lift the other two. Repeat the exercise over and over, alternating your fingers.
Remember, only lift two fingers at a time as shown in the pictures. Once you get
used to it, it's easy.
As you can see from the full page images shown below, each page of
the book is loaded with valuable information. Not only do we give you this information
in an easy to understand format, but we also provide you with plenty of reference
sheets for scales, modes, chords, and arpeggios. There are also two music theory
quizzes for you to test your knowledge before you continue on through the book.
The Ultimate Guitar Workout contains much more than what you've seen here.
The chord section includes information on how to create progressions, how
chords are formed in any key, chord progressions exercises, and chord
reference sheets. There is also a chapter on arpeggios and arpeggio
progressions. And don't forget the riff section which includes riffs for
all of the modes, scales, and chords in the book.
The Ultimate Guitar Workout Copyright © 1994-2004 Musical Progressions
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