Play Scale Circles With Patterns 2 And 3

This entry is part 15 of 24 in the series The Fundamental Mandolin Framework

How To Play Scale Circles with Major Scale Patterns 2 and 3

Discover ↓

Connect Major Scale Patterns 2 and 3 in the same key. This lets you cover a wider fretboard area with the right notes.
How to “sew” Major Scale Patterns 2 and 3 together so you can seamlessly flow back and forth between the two patterns when improvising and soloing

(video)

Do This → Action Steps ↓

Watch the video to see how to “connect” Major Scale Patterns 2 and 3. Pick a note to start Major scale pattern 2. Then, move 2 frets “up” (toward your body) to start Major scale pattern 3. Play Major scale pattern 2, THEN major scale pattern 3 “back-to-back” (or one after the other) until you are reasonably comfortable with your understanding of how both patterns “fit” together.
Watch the video to see how to play “scale circles” with Patterns 2 and 3.
Practice playing “clockwise” scale circles. Start with your FIRST FINGER on Pattern 2, play pattern 2 all the way “up” (ascending to the highest pitch), slide your pinky “up” (toward your body) to the highest pitch in Pattern 3, then continue to play Pattern 3 in reverse (descending “down” pattern 3) until you reach the lowest pitch in Pattern 3 with your first finger. Then, slide your FIRST FINGER “down” (away from your body) to re-start on Pattern 2. Continue playing this “clockwise” scale circle until you are reasonably comfortable. Then move on. Note: It’s PERFECTLY FINE if this takes time – a few days or even a few weeks is OKAY. There’s no race you’re trying to win here. And getting good at the skill of mandolin takes time. Go easy on yourself and have fun!
Practice counterclockwise scale circles. Begin with your first finger on the first note of Pattern 3. Play Pattern 3 upward to the highest pitch. Then slide your pinky down to land on the highest pitch of Pattern 2. Move Pattern 2 in reverse, descending to the lowest pitch in Pattern 2. Return your first finger up to the starting note of Pattern 3 and repeat until you’re reasonably comfortable. Finally, proceed to the next lesson when ready.