training • RT6c6 • Major boxes 1/2/3

Connecting boxes 2, 2, and 3

See Major Pentatonic for a lesson/tutorial about this test.

Demonstration

TODO

Procedure

This exercise should be performed rubato in every natural key. You should probably only attempt one or two keys the first few times you practice this exercise (I recommend starting with Am).

  1. Play the three minor triad shapes on the top four strings. Visualize how the box 1, 2, and 3 shapes sit within these three triad shapes.

  2. First, play with pentatonic notes only:

  • Play the connected shapes in a serpentine manner: ascend from the lowest note of box 1 to the highest note in box 1, then descend through box 2, and finally ascend through box 3.

  • You can either “bounce back” from this point, or continue for several iterations before reversing direction. Be sure to practice both directions (ascending and descending) of every box shape, however.

  1. Repeat step 2, but this time add the blue note.

Pass criteria

You can play the exercise confidently in all keys at roughly 120 BPM (quarter notes).

Last modified May 25, 2020: change type to rexercises (a401432)