Navigating the fretboard effectively is a crucial skill for any guitarist, and scale books are indispensable tools in this journey. While some might view scale practice as purely technical exercises, divorced from real-world musical situations, the truth is far more nuanced. The right approach to scale practice, guided by a well-chosen Guitar Scale Book, can unlock significant musical expression and depth in your playing.
Often, guitarists, especially when learning scales, are encouraged to utilize position shifts to traverse the entire fretboard. This is undoubtedly valuable for understanding the neck’s layout and developing technical dexterity. However, the idea that “real-world” playing rarely involves such extensive shifts is a simplification. In practice, musical context often dictates more intricate fingering choices.
Consider ensemble playing, particularly in genres like jazz or even popular music. Guitarists might intentionally keep a melodic line on the same string, leveraging the unique tonal color of that string to distinguish it from other voices within the arrangement. Shifting positions and changing strings become deliberate artistic choices to articulate musical ideas. Therefore, mastering fingerings that might seem initially challenging can serve profound musical purposes.
The notion that any scale book will suffice overlooks the varied philosophies behind different publications. The true value lies not just in the notes presented, but in how you practice them, echoing Tremolo Jones’ sentiment. Exploring diverse scale books reveals the reasoning behind different fingering choices. For instance, the scale fingerings of Andrés Segovia and Abel Carlevaro, both giants of classical guitar, are meticulously crafted based on their distinct musical and pedagogical principles. Similarly, Leo Brouwer’s scale book is noteworthy for its practical practice recommendations, guiding students on effective utilization.
Segovia’s approach, in particular, transcends mere technical ease. Emerging from a tradition that emphasized the rich tonal palette of the guitar, Segovia considered the unique “mood” of each string and register. His fingerings weren’t solely about efficiently covering all scale notes across the fretboard. They were designed to familiarize the player with different regions of the guitar, cultivate individual string sound awareness, and refine articulation and phrasing. For Segovia, achieving a specific sonic character often outweighed the simplicity of fingering.
A telling example is found in a Segovia masterclass available on YouTube, where he coaches a student on a Weiss (arranged Ponce) piece. Segovia instructs the player to maintain a portion of a scale on a single string, arguing that shifting with the left hand is preferable to altering the right hand’s string changes. This highlights that his decisions were driven not just by mechanical efficiency but by the desired musical outcome and articulation.
In conclusion, selecting a “guitar scale book” should go beyond simply finding note patterns. It’s about choosing a resource that aligns with your musical goals and encourages thoughtful practice. By exploring different scale books and understanding the underlying rationale behind their fingerings, you can develop a more nuanced and musically informed approach to scale practice, ultimately enriching your guitar playing.
