The Diminished Scale

The diminished scale is comprised of tones a minor 3rd apart...

For example:
Try playing these notes all over the guitar in succession.

||: E G Bb Db :||

||: A C Eb F# :||

||: G# B D F :||

That should give you a feel for it. You can resolve it with the Root Chord in the Key.

Practice Practice Practice

Make sure that you practice today.  Pick up your guitar for at least 5 minutes a day (which will typically turn into many more minutes once you have it in your hands and playing).  Remember to use back-and-forth picking style when you play your scale runs, play everything slow and 'clearly' and build up your speed gradually as you go.  Finger your chords so that 'all' the notes ring clearly without any buzz.  Mix up your practice material, styles, and such so that you stay interested in playing.  Get a practicing partner to jam with, as this will help you both!  Most of all, have fun!

E Lydian

Last night I was playing around with the E lydian scale, which consist of the notes: E F# G# A# B C# D# E

It is basically the E major scale with a sharpened 4th. It has very tranquil tonal qualities and after dancing around with the chords and licks in this scale, I found that it made me very sleepy and tired, as if being lullabyed before bedtime. Very interesting!



Joe uses this scale often, as well as other modes, and you'll notice the sound when you're jamming with it.