Yeah I don't mean play a slide, but move your finger up to that fret like you said. It can also get you to somewhere you want to go. Try this version of the A major scale.


o i r p i i r p i i m p i i m p i m p
e-----------------------------------9-10-12--
b-------------------------7/9-10-12----------
g-----------------4/6-7-9--------------------
d---------2/4-6-7----------------------------
a-0-2-4-5------------------------------------
e--------------------------------------------


Try that run at the beginning of a solo, then use the ending note E (5th of A) to begin a different sequence pattern. You can see where 4 note per string scales are a benefit, cause you got from the open string to the 12 fret fluently and with ease. The same can be done descending.