Folded Scales

[fray]

Hi, I need some help in determining the "formula(s)" for folded scales, if there is any such source? Thanks.

[mr. beaumont]

I'm no bluegrass player (I think grassers are the only one who use this terminology), but from what I understand of the term, you basically set up some kind of motif, and then repeat the pattern, but starting from each subsequent note in the scale...

So say you took G major-- GABCDEF#

And you played GABC

Then you'd follow ABCD, BCDE, etc...

A more complex idea would be playing in thirds...

So GBDF#, ACEG, BDF#A, etc.

Or some combination...

GBDG, ACEA, BDF#B, etc.

Obviously, you could do this descendng as well...

[rick-slo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2y4RI7gIBA

[FwL]

I prefer my scales spindled, stapled and mutilated.

.

[JonPR]

Originally Posted by fray

Hi, I need some help in determining the "formula(s)" for folded scales, if there is any such source? Thanks.

I hadn't heard this term before, but the usual term is "melodic patterns". The principle is to take a scale, and instead of just playing it up and down note by note, you apply repeating patterns.
There's no actual formula, but there is a principle which produces several formulas - in fact countless formulas.

So, instead of playing 1-2-3-4-5-6-7, you might play 1-2-3,2-3-4,3-4-5 etc.
or 1-3-2-4-3-5 etc. (and repeat each pattern coming down too)

There are an almost infinite number of patterns you could apply. The reason for working with them is they make scale practice a lot more interesting and musical-sounding. That means (a) you're less likely to get bored, so will practice for longer (and get better faster), and (b) you can discover useful melodic phrases to use in solos.
Naturally, you need to be totally confident of your note positions and fingerings to begin with. You have to know your scale first. The patterns then test that knowledge, as well as their other advantages.

Some examples here:
https://www.justinguitar.com/en/IM-1...icPatterns.php
https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/...ire-your-solos

[fray]

Thanks for the information, makes sense now. Keep on pickin'!-

[stanron]

In UK classical music theory it is called a 'sequence'. See

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequence_(music)

Unfortunately this term gets confused with the word 'Sequencing' and it's use regarding the creation of digital music. If, in the US, you are familiar with Nashville Numbers then a similar approach can give each note of a pattern a number. You don't actually change key with every shift but it could help in writing or talking about each pattern.

[Guitar Slim II]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I'm no bluegrass player (I think grassers are the only one who use this terminology), but from what I understand of the term, you basically set up some kind of motif, and then repeat the pattern, but starting from each subsequent note in the scale...

So say you took G major-- GABCDEF#

And you played GABC

Then you'd follow ABCD, BCDE, etc...

A more complex idea would be playing in thirds...

So GBDF#, ACEG, BDF#A, etc.

Or some combination...

GBDG, ACEA, BDF#B, etc.

Obviously, you could do this descendng as well...

AKA "coils"?