I first saw this on Allan Holdsworth’s REH DVD, where he recommends learning scales using four notes per string instead of three. While this is doable up at the dusty end of the fretboard, there are some big old stretches down at the nut. That’s no problem for Allan — he has huge hands — and you could always cheat with slides, but the essence of the idea is to maintain that four-note-per-string relationship, especially as this system avoids boxes entirely, with one position spanning a massive 16 frets or so depending on the scale. I have to admit, I like this idea, and it does help you see the fretboard in a whole new way. Let’s check it out.
Prefer to print them? There’s a free PDF of all five patterns at the bottom of this page — or grab it here:
Download the free 4NPS PDF (all 5 patterns) →
New Directions
If you haven’t tried these scale patterns before, your first reaction will probably be discomfort — but before you go running back to the 3NPS or CAGED patterns, give the 4NPS patterns a chance. Even if you don’t like them, they’ll do wonders for your horizontal and diagonal playing, and they’re a fantastic technical stretching exercise that forces you to use your fourth finger.
Here’s the major scale in F using four notes per string. As you can see, it runs right from the F on the first fret of the low E string up to the A on the 17th fret of the high E string.
Start really slow; don’t rush through the scale, or you won’t be able to execute it properly once you gain speed. Your brain will start looking for a box pattern to cling to — play through that initial discomfort.
Here’s an F natural minor (Aeolian) 4NPS pattern, again starting on the low F.
For some of the bigger stretches you may find you need to shuffle your first and second fingers up the fretboard when playing the fourth note on a string, especially if you have smaller hands.
Here’s the harmonic minor 4NPS pattern:
You’ll probably have to do a little “jump” to make that stretch from D♭ on the A string to the E. If you stick rigidly to the four-notes-per-string quota, you should come up with some interesting-sounding stuff — or at least stuff that doesn’t sound like what you’d normally play.
Here’s the melodic minor 4NPS pattern:
As you probably know, there’s only one note’s difference between this and the harmonic minor — and only one between it and the major scale itself.
Here’s one more that actually feels more comfortable played this way — the diminished scale:
If you’re into Allan Holdsworth’s playing, these ideas give you a glimpse into how he manoeuvres around the fretboard, and the possibilities that open up once you start playing four notes on a string. You’ll feel the difference if you play these patterns with your normal hand position — three notes on a string — then open your hand out to play four. Even if you don’t think you’ll incorporate them into your playing, they make for a great all-round technical exercise.
Download the patterns
Here’s the free PDF of all five 4NPS patterns to print out and practise with:
Download the free 4NPS PDF (all 5 patterns) →
If you want to take 4NPS scales further, Shred Guitar Mechanics: Fretboard Dexterity through 4NPS Scales goes deep into the technique side — developing four-finger fretting-hand dexterity through 4NPS patterns. And for the harmonic thinking behind Holdsworth’s use of 4NPS, Allan Holdsworth — A Guitarist’s Guide covers that ground in detail.