From Guitar World · · 50s
Eric Gales position shifts unlock melodic ideas
Eric Gales uses position shifts to create new melodic ideas across the fretboard.
In brief
Eric Gales uses position shifts to create new melodic ideas across the fretboard. Eric Gales demonstrates how shifting between guitar positions generates fresh melodic phrases through improvisation. Originally reported by Guitar World.
Eric Gales position shifts
Eric Gales uses position shifts to spark new melodic ideas in improvisation.
“there are a million ways to skin a cat”
E blues scale example
Eric Gales starts with E major pentatonic notes then shifts to E blues scale in 9th/10th position.
“E, G, A, Bb, B, D”
Position shifts in bar 2
Eric Gales shifts down to 7th position then immediately to 5th position in bar 2.
“On beat 1 of bar 2 I shift down to 7th position”
Descending position shifts
Eric Gales moves from 10th to 2nd position using E blues scale in descending order.
“Figure 4 shows the E blues scale played in a descending manner”
Step ladder approach
Eric Gales recommends moving up two positions, back one, up two more, then back down for melodic discoveries.
“Try the 'step ladder' approach, move up two positions, then back one, then up two more, then back down”
The main idea
Eric Gales demonstrates how shifting between guitar positions generates fresh melodic phrases through improvisation.
