The 12-note form in Ex. 1 is a real endurance builder, especially at speed. It’s better to spend more time at slower tempos, though, where you can perceive imperfections and refine your technique. Each note should sound clean and consistently executed, whether or not the note involves a position shift. As with last month’s examples, each consecutive measure involves a step-wise shift. Make sure you can play the entire 12-note focus form perfectly in a single position before taking on the entire exercise. Begin in 3rd position with your 1st finger on the A string’s 3rd-fret C. 

Ex. 2 is based on the D melodic minor scale. I like this shape a lot because it can be used in transitional phrasing approaches to create melodic tension. Here, the shifts in this form move in diatonic 3rds, as with Ex. 2 from last time. That means it’s a good idea to look ahead on the fingerboard before executing the shift. Begin in 5th position with your 1st finger on A string’s D.

Adam Nitti currently plays and tours with Steven Curtis Chapman. He is also the Chief Learning Officer at musicdojo.com, an online music instruction site. Adam's latest solo CD, Evidence, was released on his Renaissance Man label. www.adamnitti.com.