The Chromatic Scale

Here is a great exercise to start getting your hands and fingers working together. You are playing a chromatic scale starting on the low E and continuing through 3 octaves, ending at the 12th fret on the high E string.

You start on the 6th string in 1st position and play open, 1st fret, 2nd fret, 3rd fret, 4th fret, then continue on the 5th string, 4th string, 3rd string (only up to the 3rd fret), 2nd string, and 1st string. After playing the 4th fret (G#) you shift your left hand into 5th position and play the next 4 notes, then shift again into 9th position, finishing with your little finger at the 12th fret. You then play the whole thing descending (backwards) leading each position change and string change with your little finger.

Your right hand plays using an alternating technique. You can use a flat pick alternating strokes down and up, or two fingers, index and middle for example. The alternating pattern continues when you change strings with the stroke in the opposite direction of the last one. If the last stroke on a string is down, the next string starts with an up and vice-versa.