No Descending.

Why is there a difficulty difference in ascending and descending scales? Muscle memory just doesn't seem to work as easily ascending and I don't ever think I'll ever be able to cleaning mute the other strings quick enough or well enough, mostly the lower ones, in order to be able to reach the same clean speeds I can descending. This why you never heard Malmsteen playing those quick riffs ascending? Or is my pinky just not there yet.

Hmm.

I think it totally depends on the person.

Malmsteen plays lots of descending licks.. just because they sound good.

If you see him live, when he just cuts loose and jams for a few minutes (usually during, or after one of his older songs, like Black Star or Far Beyond The Sun), he ascends scales just as much as he descends.

Hell, I'm the opposite, you'll hear me playing ascending licks more often. Although I try not to play in such a linear fasion.

Originally posted by sambob

Hell, I'm the opposite, you'll hear me playing ascending licks more often

I'm the same. For some reason I just find it a lot easier.

BAH. Ala Lane, no doubt, sambob. And YOU. SOBs and two-bit lousy musical beatnecks!

I've only been working the pinky full time in my playing since October. Coming pretty good, all said and done. Just gotta devote more time to those muscles is all. Between the third and pinky.

If you want to get your hand strengthened (and stretched!) in no time, a few things I recommend:

Any of Allan Holsdworth's books. The lead playing isn't full of stuff that will strech your pinky/ring fire, but a lot of the chords that he plays are huuuge stretches that will help you out.

Any of Rusty Cooley's instructional cd-roms.

Same with Francesco Fareri.

I think descending is little easier because the next fretting finger is usualy just there before you hit the next note , and this makes it easier to play faster.

I had this problem too , but now when I play , I don't feel much difference between ascending and descending .... You should pay more attention to your weak points while practicing.

I don't descend or ascend. I just play the same note over and over.