Some 3-String Ladder Patterns for Diminished Scales
Recently we looked at 2-string ladder patterns for the Whole-Half and Half-Whole Diminished scales (since they're modes of each other, the patterns work equally well for both scales). Here we'll look at some similar patterns covering three strings.
There's no rocket science here, just some simple patterns you can use to ascend and descend through these scales in nice, straightforward ways. Because the scales are symmetrical the patterns repeat themselves, making them very easy to learn and play. I've only included ascending versions; you can descend by playing them exactly backwards.
Most of the patterns here can best be picked in a sweep-picking style; it's very efficient, and isn't just for shredders. if you haven't tried it before, have a go at picking this pattern and the next three using an down-down-down-up-up-up sequence:
T--------5--2---------------3--6--------|---------8--5---------------6----------------------- |-----4--------4---------4--------4-----|------7--------7---------7-----7-------------------- A--2--------------5--/6--------------3--|--/5--------------8--/9-----------9----------------- |---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------- B---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------- |---------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------
T--------------------|---------------------|------------------------------------------------- |--------2--5--------|---------5--8--------|----------8--11---------------------------------- A-----3--------4-----|------6--------7-----|-------9---------10------------------------------ |--4--------------5--|--/7--------------8--|--/10----------------11-------------------------- B--------------------|---------------------|------------------------------------------------- |--------------------|---------------------|-------------------------------------------------
T---------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------ |--------5--2---------------7--4--------|---------8--5---------------10------------------------ A-----2--------3---------5--------5-----|------5--------9---------8------8--------------------- |--5--------------2--/4--------------7--|--/8--------------5--/7------------7------------------ B---------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------ |---------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------
T--------------------|---------------------|--------------------------------------------------- |--------------------|---------------------|--------------------------------------------------- A--------------------|---------------------|--------------------------------------------------- |--------2--4--------|---------5--7--------|---------8--10------------------------------------- B-----3--------4-----|------6--------7-----|------8---------10--------------------------------- |--3--------------5--|--/6--------------8--|--/9----------------11-----------------------------
As a break from sweep picking, here's one you almost (?) have to alternate-pick. It has a quite different sound from the others, and seems to emphasise the scale's dissonance a lot less.
T---------------2--4--/7--5--------------|----------------8--10--/13--11----------------------- |--------3--5----------------8--6--------|---------9--11------------------14--12--------------- A--2--4----------------------------7--5--|--8--10---------------------------------13--11------- |----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------- B----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------- |----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------
Finally, this one combines the scalar and sweeped feels together. If you don't usually economy-pick, try it on this: down-up-down-down-down-up-down then up-down-up-up-up-down-up. You never know, you might like it.
T--------------2--3--5--/6--5--3--------------|---------------5--6--8--/9--8--6---------------- |-----------4---------------------4-----------|------------7---------------------7------------- A--2--3--5---------------------------6--5--3--|--/5--6--8---------------------------9--8--6---- |---------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------ B---------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------ |---------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------
I hope you enjoy the sound of these; if you do, be sure to invent with some your own, too.
