Introduction to String Skipping
String skipping is a technique that every guitarist should learn to add a new set of tools to their repertoire. By skipping one or more strings, string skipping creates new possibilities for melody and harmony.
As a guitarist, it is crucial to learn various techniques to add to your playing style and be more versatile.
Importance of Learning String Skipping
Learning string skipping can add new techniques to your playing style, making your performance more interesting. As a guitarist, you should strive to make your audience captivated, and string skipping is one way to achieve that.
With string skipping, you can create cool-sounding melodies and riffs, and you can also combine them with other techniques such as tapping, hammer-on, and pull-off. String Skipping Exercise 1: Chicken Pickin’
The first string skipping exercise that we will talk about is called Chicken Pickin’.
This technique was popularized in the ’50s and ’60s by country guitarists, and it has since become a staple in rock and roll music. Chicken Pickin’ involves plucking the strings with your fingers in a percussive manner, mimicking the sound of a chicken.
To perform this exercise, we will use the key of C and an E minor chord. Begin by picking the third string with your thumb, followed by the first string with your index finger.
Then, skip over the second string and pick the first string again with your middle finger. Move onto the fourth string and pluck it with your thumb, then use your index finger to pick the first string again.
Continue with this pattern: thumb, index, skip, middle, thumb, index, until you reach the end of the pattern. Keep practicing this until you can perform it seamlessly and at a faster tempo.
Conclusion
In conclusion, string skipping is an essential technique for any guitarist to learn. It can create new possibilities for melody and harmony, and it’s a great way to add new tools to your repertoire.
The Chicken Pickin’ exercise is just one example of how to apply string skipping in your playing style. With dedication and practice, you can master this technique and add it to your guitar-playing bag of tricks.
So grab your guitar and start practicing!
3) String Skipping Exercise 2: Octave Octane
Octave jumps are a great way to add excitement to your guitar playing when used correctly. To perform Octave Octane, start with the F major chord and slide your first finger up one fret to create the F# major chord.
Then, strike the second string with your ring finger while skipping over the third string. Pluck the first string with your pinky finger and then slide your ring finger up two frets to play the G#.
Next, use your first finger to strike the third string and your ring finger to play the fifth string. Skip the fourth string and use your first finger to pluck the second string and your pinky finger to hit the first string.
Add some rhythm to the pattern and repeat it until you get a good feel for it. Practice the exercise at a slow tempo and build up speed as you go.
The most challenging part of this exercise is maintaining the accuracy of your picking hand while performing octave jumps. It can help if you keep your wrist relaxed and utilize subtle movements for each specific string.
4) String Skipping Exercise 3: Perfecting Your Fifths
Fifths are often used in rock and metal music styles, especially in guitar riffs. To perform Perfecting Your Fifths, start with the A5 power chord, plucking the fifth string and skipping the fourth.
Then skip the third string, play the second with your index finger, and finish on the first string with your ring finger. Repeat this pattern four times, slide your hand down two frets to the G5 power chord, and perform the same sequence.
Move down two more frets to the F5 and repeat the pattern, finally ending with the E5. Repeat this entire exercise three times to get the full effect.
When performing this exercise, be sure to use alternate picking or even economy picking, depending on your playing style and preference. You can also add a slight bend to the fifth string for an added effect.
Conclusion:
String skipping exercises are great for improving your playing technique and adding a new dimension to your music. Whether you are a beginner or professional guitar player, mastering string skipping can help you expand your horizons and develop your skills.
With the Chicken Pickin’, Octave Octane, and Perfecting Your Fifths exercises, you can learn new techniques and become a more versatile player. Remember, practice makes perfect, and with consistency and persistence, you can master string skipping in no time.
So, keep practicing and adding new skills to your guitar playing toolkit!
5) String Skipping Exercise 4: Spider Stepping
Spider Stepping is an exercise that involves skipping every string in between the first and sixth strings, creating a spider-like effect. To begin, place your index finger on the fifth fret of the low E string and your middle finger on the sixth fret of the high E string.
Strike the low E string with your index finger and skip the A string. Pluck the D string with your middle finger and skip the G string.
Next, move your index finger to the seventh fret of the low E string and your middle finger to the eighth fret of the high E string. Strike the low E string and skip the A string again.
Then pluck the G string with your middle finger and skip the B string. Continue this pattern up to the twelfth fret and then move back down.
Try to maintain a steady rhythm and keep your hand and fingers relaxed while performing the exercise. The Spider Stepping exercise is an excellent way to work on your finger coordination and teach your fingers to skip over unnecessary strings.
Consistent practice of this exercise will help you develop the muscle memory needed to move quickly and efficiently around the fretboard. 6) String Skipping Exercise 5: Skip Along
Skip Along is an excellent string skipping exercise that allows you to practice various intervals such as thirds, fifths, and octaves.
To begin, place your index finger on the second fret of the D string and your ring finger on the fourth fret of the G string. Pluck the D string, skip the G string, and then play the B string with your index finger.
Next, move your ring finger to the fifth fret of the G string and pluck it. Skip the B string and then play the high E string with your pinky finger.
Move your index finger to the fourth fret of the A string and your ring finger to the sixth fret of the D string. Pluck the A string and skip the D string.
Play the G string with your index finger and then move your ring finger to the seventh fret of the D string and pluck it. Skip the G string and play the high E string with your pinky finger.
Continue this pattern up to the twelfth fret and then move back down. This exercise will help you develop your fingerpicking and string skipping skills while teaching your fingertips to navigate through different intervals.
It is important to start the exercise slowly and focus on maintaining a steady rhythm. Gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable with the exercise.
Conclusion
String skipping exercises are an essential aspect of guitar playing, and it is important to incorporate them into your practice routine regularly. The Chicken Pickin’, Octave Octane, Perfecting Your Fifths, Spider Stepping, and Skip Along exercises discussed in this article are all excellent techniques that can help you develop your finger dexterity, accuracy, and speed.
With consistent practice, you can master these exercises and add them to your guitar playing toolkit, making you a more versatile and skilled musician. 7)
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
As we have discussed, string skipping is a valuable technique that can add a new dimension of sound and complexity to your guitar playing style. By incorporating string skipping into your practice routine, you can improve your fingerpicking skills, dexterity, and accuracy.
One of the master guitarists who has made string skipping popular is Eric Johnson. Johnson is known for his unique approach to guitar playing, which involves a great deal of string skipping.
He has developed custom exercises that can help guitar players improve their string-skipping skills and expand their playing style. Incorporating string skipping into your guitar playing is a great way to explore new possibilities and develop your own sound.
With regular practice, you can create seamless transitions between strings, create dynamic melodies, and add complexity to your solos. Experimenting with different types of string skipping exercises, such as Chicken Pickin’, Octave Octane, Perfecting Your Fifths, Spider Stepping, and Skip Along, can also help expand your repertoire and improve your technique.
In addition to the technical benefits, incorporating string skipping into your guitar playing also has the potential to improve your overall musicianship. By challenging yourself with new techniques, you can grow as a musician, improve your ear training, and become better at improvisation.
It is important to note that mastering string skipping takes time, dedication, and patience. It is not something that you can learn overnight, and you need to be willing to put in regular practice to see improvements.
As with any new technique, starting slow and gradually increasing the tempo is essential. Consistent practice is key to developing muscle memory and building up speed and accuracy.
In conclusion, string skipping is an important technique for any guitarist to learn. It allows you to create unique melodies and add complexity to your solos.
Through regular practice and experimentation with different exercises, you can expand your playing style and develop your skills. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced guitarist, string skipping is a valuable technique to incorporate into your playing and push your limits to the next level.
In conclusion, learning and incorporating string skipping into your guitar playing can significantly enhance your skills and add a unique dimension to your playing style. By practicing different string skipping exercises like Chicken Pickin’, Octave Octane, Perfecting Your Fifths, Spider Stepping, and Skip Along, you can improve your finger dexterity, accuracy, and speed.
With regular practice, string skipping can also help you develop your musicianship, ear training, and improvisation skills. Remember, mastering string skipping takes time, patience, and dedication, but the benefits are well worth it.
So don’t hesitate to incorporate string skipping into your guitar playing and push yourself to the next level!