As we already mentioned in the previous page, we will start memorizing the triads. We will use three string fingerings, harmonizing the scale in horizontal succession on the fretboard. We will analyze the first scale, D major, on the fifth, fourth and third strings. The resulting triads must be played as follows:

These are the fingerings that we will now work on. The usual rules also apply here, which are to initially play slow then gradually increase the speed. Before going to the exercises, play the fingerings until you have memorized them. In this way, it will be easier to work.

Exercise #1

In the first exercise we work in the same way as we did in the scale of C, trying to obtain a good fluidity of execution. This means playing a series of notes that are connected to each other as best as possible, and without unwanted detachments between fingerings. Besides being single notes, the fingers of the left hand must release the pressure on the strings but without detaching themselves from the strings, by simply lifting the fingers enough to stop the vibration of the string that has been played. To get the fluidity that I spoke of before, the release of the pressure has to coincide with the attack of the following note. The picking to be used is down, down, up (first and second beat) and up, up, down (third and fourth beat). If you don't want to play using the fingers (it is advisable to do so in both the modes), the succession of the fingers on the right hand is thumb , index and middle finger (first and second beat) and middle , index and thumb (third and fourth beat).

Exercise #2

In this second exercise, the part to be played is inverted with respect to exercise #1. It is simple to understand, but the execution is more complicated, especially for the picking, which uses an up, up, down (first and second beat) and down, down, up (third and fourth beaten) succession. Playing with the fingers, the succession is middle, index and thumb (first and second beat) and thumb, index and middle finger (third and fourth beat). The rules are the same as those seen above.

Exercise #3

The logic for the construction of the exercises should be clear. Pay attention to the fingerings of both hands. In this case the picking is down, up, up (first and second beat) and up, down, down (third and fourth beat). Using the fingers the succession is thumb, middle and index finger (first and second beat) and middle, thumb and index finger (third and fourth beat). The rules are the same as those seen above.

Exercise #4

Now try to perform this exercise which is practically the opposite of #3. The picking is up, down, down (first and second beat) and down, up, up (third and fourth beat). Using the fingers the succession is middle, thumb and index finger (first and second beat) and thumb, middle and index (third and fourth beat).

It's best to analyze and memorize the system in which these exercises are written, spending as much time as necessary to obtain good results. In fact, in the next page, you will find the fingerings for the triads on the other groups of strings, each of which develops its own scale. Transport these exercises into the resulting scales, using the execution procedures described above .

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