This technique focuses on developing left hand accuracy and right hand picking synchronization. Look at the following example:
In this example, the fret numbers are also the fingers you would use to play the pattern. So, you’d start with your first finger on the first fret of the bottom (6th) string, followed by your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string, and so on. Maintaining the proper fingering is important for this exercise to be effective. Try to be aware of not using excessive thumb pressure on your fretting hand. Try playing through just this first measure of the exercise so that your fingers get accustomed to the pattern. Try it slowly with a metronome, and remember to incorporate alternate picking throughout this exercise. Your fingers should feel as if they are rolling over the fretboard smoothly and consistently. The full exercise involves taking this basic pattern, and climbing up the neck one position at time while maintaining the fingering of the first pattern.
I recommend taking the exercise up to the 12th fret, and then descending. On the opposite page, the exercise series is tabbed for you. Each measure system represents a slight variation on the basic exercise. Play the exercises separately to begin with (1 system at a time) until the different forms become more comfortable. Start slowly and build up speed while maintaining your accuracy as much as possible. Then, try to play all of the exercises as a long series of sequences. The slight changes from pattern to pattern make this a difficult exercise both mentally and physically. Go slowly.
These exercises have a very unusual, angular sound to them and they don’t follow a consistent harmonic pattern. I encourage you to try to apply them in a musical context. They may inspire you to explore some new territory.
As an expansion of this exercise, you can try a number of variations. One variation is to play the exercise across the neck in one position:
You can also play this exercise as a series of string skips. Make sure you maintain alternate picking throughout this exercise. The following example is a template for this pattern. Play this pattern in each position of the neck:
Finally, try playing through these exercises as a series of sweeps. It is possible to play this very quickly because you are minimizing your picking movement. The first four notes are played in one continuous downstroke, and the last four are played in one continuous upstroke. Remember to keep your pick at a 45 degree angle down toward the floor on the downstroke, and just the opposite on the upstroke to maintain better clarity. Also, it is important to incorporate a heavy right hand mute to articulate clearly. The exercise should sound like a series of single notes, not a chord:
All of these patterns have started with the first finger. There are a number of similar patterns that can be played by starting with the other fingers. Using the templates and variations above, try using the following finger patterns:
2134, 2341, 2431, 2314, 2413, 2143, 3124, 3241, 3421, 3214, 3412, 3142, 4123, 4132, 4231, 4213, 4312, 4321
When practicing, try to focus each day on just a few of the patterns until you can play them in all the variations mentioned. Certain patterns will be easier than others. In time, all of them will become comfortable and you will feel a greater proficiency, especially when playing through musical passages that utilize a lot of chromaticism.