# Eric Gales position shifts unlock melodic ideas

> Eric Gales uses position shifts to create new melodic ideas across the fretboard.
- Title: Eric Gales position shifts unlock melodic ideas · Guitar World
- Summary: Eric Gales uses position shifts to create new melodic ideas across the fretboard. Eric Gales demonstrates how shifting between guitar positions generates…
- Keywords: eric gales, guitar, position shifts, melodic ideas, improvisation, fretboard, Eric, Gales, position, shifts, unlock, melodic
- Source: Guitar World — https://guitarworld.com/lessons/techniques/eric-gales-position-shifts-improv
- Published: 2026-10-10T12:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: eric gales, guitar, position shifts, melodic ideas, improvisation, fretboard
## 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
## Key takeaway

Eric Gales demonstrates how shifting between guitar positions generates fresh melodic phrases through improvisation.