The TuneUp Program

So where the previous exercise used only two notes these will use scales/modes, firstly the major scale and secondly the mixolydian mode. The first one plays E major on the first string:

• Start in the open position by playing the E open and the F# with your second finger.
• Then, without looking at your guitar, move to the fourth position to play G# with your first finger, A with the second and B with the fourth.
• Finally move to the 9th position where C# is under your first finger, D# the third and the tonic again on the 12 fret with your fourth finger.
• Play back down the scale using the same fingering.

As well as learning the distances between notes in terms of note names you're learning how far your hand needs to move to get a change in pitch. You are developing a connection between your proprioceptive mechanisms and what you hear. This exercise builds on this aural relationship by contrasting the major sound with a mixolydian.

• Start with the Open E but this time play the F# in the second position with your first finger, the G# with your third and A with your fourth.
• Now, again without looking continue with the B, first finger 7th fret, the C# with the third finger and this time the flat 7 D with the fourth finger before changing position again to hit the octave with your first finger.
• Play back back down E mixolydian with the same fingering.
• Before we leave this exercise head back up to the 9th position to play the C# with your first finger, the D with your second and the tonic with the fourth, taking note particularly of the sound of the flat 7 D.
• Now do exactly the same thing but play the major seventh D# instead of the D, again aware of the change in the quality of the sound. As you compare the two you're training your fingers to fall according to your ears and not your eyes. This is something that you should be aware of every time you play a note, try to move to the sound you want, not the position.