94% of guitar players practice scale patterns in a lateral manner, usually pentatonic patterns that produce 100% correct notes; the down side is these patterns also create 100% boring, lifeless, predictable solos.

We’ve all heard solos where it’s difficult to tell one player from the next. An excellent way to overcome this problem and add your own individual personality to your music is to change the way we practice scales.

The best place to start is to practice scales in a linear fashion.

Here’s how to get started with the key of “C” major:

The key of “C” contains the following notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, B; these are the exact same notes as the white notes on a piano.

When soloing in the key of C major it is not necessary to play the notes in any particular sequence, you can begin on any note and still be playing in the key of C.

Moving this idea across to the guitar, let’s play the C major scale using the first and second string exclusively.

I’ve going to create a six note linear sequence on the first and second string as follows:

Beginning on the note C, 1st fret, second string; play the following notes … C, D, E on the second string; then proceed to the first string and play the notes F, G, A.

Now, start your second six note sequence on the note “D” second string, third fret. Your second sequence would be … D, E, F on the second string, then to the first string to play G, A, B.

The idea is to create a six note sequence starting from a different note of the C major scale; in our example I’m playing the ascending C scale along the second string as follows.

C = 2nd string, 1st fret

D = 2nd string, 3rd fret

E = 2nd string, 5th fret

F = 2nd string, 6th fret

G = 2nd string, 8th fret

A = 2nd string, 10th fret

B = 2nd string, 12th fret

C = 2nd string, 13th fret

Here is the complete sequence …

[C], D, E, F, G, A

[D], E, F, G, A, B

[E], f, G, A, B, C

[F], G, A, B, C, D

[G], A, B, C, D, E

[A], B, C, D, E, F

[B], C, D, E, F, G

[C], D, E, F, G, A

Try working out the six note sequences in C major on the other strings it will add a new level of excitement to your solos.

Good luck playing your guitar!