To make scales a little more interesting you can use the following patterns to give some variation on a common scale. All examples are shown in the key of A Major (starting from the 5th fret) using the E shape major scale pattern.

If you're interested in playing fast like Steve Via, Richie Blackmore, Joe Satrani, Kirk Hammett and many more speed guitarists, then this is the basis of developing your speed. Playing fast on the guitar is a reflex action, you have to know your scales so well that you don't even think about what you're doing, Your fingers just go into their set positions.

Playing the following patterns will trick you up at first, but that's the whole idea. You should always challeng your self, it's the only way you can improve.

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