[This is part 2 of a two-part training series. Find part 1 here.]
Hurdling is one of the most impressive sports.
Athletes running looks like dancing.
There is symmetry in their moves, momentum, synchronization, speed, and power.
And all these are due to a single constant.
The “dancefloor’s” specifications.
The symmetrically, precisely measured and equally spaced hurdles.
Imagine putting the hurdles in a not random, but asymmetry way across the running court…
Everything changes.
The speed would be reduced dramatically, the overall athletes’ technique would probably need more mind processing and the end result wouldn’t be the same of course.
Symmetry can leverage technique’s results and that concept is what we’re gonna use here for creating our own ideal “dancefloor” on the fretboard.
The problem with the CAGED System is that it’s consisted of vertical asymmetric shapes, by alternating between 2 and 3 notes per string patterns, making them inefficient for developing speed or playing sequential lines.
[Exception is the pentatonic scales which are consisted of 2 notes per string patterns, even if we have designed other shapes for developing speed and intervallic sequences – more of that in a future training series.]
It’s always easier to remember and execute symmetric patterns.
The right hand uses consistent motions across all the strings and the mind can visualize intervallic or sequential patterns more easily.
Here comes the 3 notes per string concept or 3nps for short.
The 3nps scales are built symmetrically and as the name indicates, consist of three notes per string pattern only!
This is possible due to the fretboard’s nature.
[Read how the guitar fretboard has been organized here]
Let’s see an example.
Take the Box 1 and 2 (E and D shapes) of the A Natural Minor.
Now, let’s rearrange the notes by strictly using 3 notes per string.
The result is a symmetric, diagonal shape that spans for a longer range than the traditional CAGED shapes.
If you do the same work for all the positions you end up with 7 three notes per string shapes across the entire fretboard.
Benefit #1
These shapes are ideal not only for developing speed but also for creating intervallic and sequential lines due to their symmetry.
[Try to play and compare a successive diatonic 3rds sequence using Box 1 (E Shape) and Shape 1 (3nps)]
Benefit #2
Also, 3nps shapes work as a link between the standard CAGED system boxes, giving us 12 shapes in total to play each scale.
Look how Shape 1 uses notes from both Box 1 (E Shape) and Box 2 (D Shape).
This helps us move from box to box in a smooth way.
Benefit #3
Another hidden benefit also is that they can help us break the “boxed-in” sound that can be emerged by the CAGED system.
Usually, guitarists start to improvise in one position (box), then they move to the neighbor one, stay for a while and repeat the same procedure on and on.
If you’ll combine this with the fact that they usually learn separately licks on each shape, then you can imagine how dramatically increase the chances of sounding predictable, like stacking exercises and licks.
[TIP: Learn how to transfer licks from a single box to all around the neck and break the boxed-in sound, even using the CAGED System here.]
How to practice the 3np scales.
Mastering the 3nps concept is an essential skill for every guitarist.
A contemporary player should design and practice all the modes and scales in 3nps shapes.
The good news is that I’ve already done all the homework for you in my Scales Designed for Fast Playing course.
If you want to get deeper into that concept follow me inside the class and get access to a complete library of 3nps scales and modes, videos, scores & tabs to master this concept once and for all.
That’s all for now, if you want to learn more, click the button below!