Originally Posted by: RazboIn playing the scale itself, it is just an alternate way to play it. But in the context of playing a song or a lick, it might make more sense to play the notes across the fretboard if the next thing you do is an open chord, or some note near that area. Alternatively, the next notes of the lick might be high on the fretboard, so being able to play the scale "in different directions" is a good thing. You would tend to use the one that is going to leave you where you want to be next.

It's like playing pool, if you have ever done that. Where you let the que ball end up after the shot is almost as important as the shot itself.

Okay, thank. That does make sense (and as a pool player, I got the analogy too :) )

I am just beginning to see too, and answer my own question. Even at my very novice level. I added a new song to work on tonight, It's very simple, but the first 8-10 bars is just up and down G-A-B. It was quickly obvious even to me that there was no reason to leave the G string at all like I have been in scales for the B. I think I understand now...


Thanks!