One-Position Scales: G Minor (Copy)

ONE-POSITION SCALES & ARPEGGIOS USE ALL 4 FINGERS, ON EVERY STRING, TO PLAY ALL OF THE SCALE&ARPEGGIO NOTES LOCATED IN THAT POSITION.

These exercises can be tricky for our ears because we aren’t simply playing a G minor scale that begins and ends on the note G. Written turnarounds and lead ups to the listed position help orient our ears to the key, and brackets help orient our eyes.

The finger patterns may feel new, so below you will find the string and hand frame listed for each position.

Practice Tips:

• To practice playing the most common pitches in G minor, we will use the melodic minor scale system, which uses raised 6th and 7th notes ascending the scale, and uses the key signature notes descending the scale - so watch for accidentals!!!

• Be sure to always use your 4th finger instead of open strings - only open C may be played.

• The arpeggio uses the same hand frame as the scale, so it is useful to place all fingers to feel the spacing (for example, place 12 along with 3, or 123 along with 4.)

G Minor One Position Scales

• First Position:

  • Ascending Finger Patterns:

    • C: 3-4

    • G: 1-2

    • D: 2-3

    • A: 3-4, reach 1 back for Bb

  • Descending Finger Patterns:

    • A: 3-4

    • D: Open, reach 1 back for Eb

    • G: 1-2

    • C: 1-2

  Second Position:

  • Shift: Begin on the D string, shifting to E with the first finger to reach second position. In the arpeggio, immediately shift to 3 on G.

  • Ascending Finger Patterns:

    • C: 2-3

    • G: Open, reach 1 back for Bb

    • D: 1-2 and 3-4, reach 1 back up to F#

    • A: 2-3, reach 1 back for C natural

  • Descending Finger Patterns:

    • A: 2-3

    • D: 2-3

    • G: 3-4

    • C: Open, reach 4 up for A natural

  Third Position:

  • Shift: Move the first finger to F#, placing us in third position. In the arpeggio, shift on 2 to G.

  • Ascending Finger Patterns:

    • C: 1-2 and 3-4

    • G: Open, reach 4 up for F#

    • D: 2-3

    • A: 3-4

  • Descending Finger Patterns:

    • A: 1-2

    • D: 2-3

    • G: 2-3

    • C: 3-4