This term indicates a model that makes reference to the layout of a melodic line within a solo. It is a prepared group of notes in a determined order that can be "arranged" for a performance. Many patterns exist, each with useful characteristics that can be personalized, both for the fingering of the right and the left hands.
In example 1, you can see a pattern built on a sequence of four major notes, developed to create a descending line on two bass strings in beat.
In the second example, again on two strings, each note of the major scale (on the fifth string) is followed by a pair of third interval notes.
Every pattern can be played in every scale, on every string and adapted to your own tastes and demands.
Fundamentally there are two types, which are down picking, with the right hand pointed toward the ground and up picking, with the hand pointed upward. Combining the two directions we get alternate picking. There are many techniques where it is possible to vary the picking, such as chicken picking, hybrid picking and sweep picking.
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Popular technique in rock, pop, and metal from the 1970's. It consists of sliding the pick over the bass strings but without pressing against the fretboard. Starting from the body of the instrument, the pick is placed on the sixth string and slides to the first frets. Or in the opposite direction, less common, from the first frets to the body. This technique is almost always used with distorted sounds. |
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One of Satriani's favorite techniques, which consists of tapping with the pick. Instead of tapping with a finger of the right hand, the tapping note is played by pressing with the upper part of the pick, getting a more clear and defined sound with respect to normal tapping. The negative is that it limits the use of the other fingers of the right hand, and therefore is only used in particular situations. |
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The opposite of the hammer-on is the pull-off. It connects two descending notes by playing the first note (the upper) and pulling the finger off which presses that same note in order to vibrate that string. In the score it is identified by a curved line that connects the two notes, from the highest (the first) to the lowest (the second). Sometimes the abreviation p or p.o. can be found above the line.
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Is a way of playing a single note anticipating the sound by picking on two or three upper strings muted by a finger of the left hand. The effect gives more attack to the note, and is much more expressive. In the example you can see how the C note played by the middle finger on the second string is anticipated by a series of three notes muted by the index finger at the 12th fret. |
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