Triad Hell – Simple Triad Speed Drills

A.      String 4, 5, and/or 6

1.       Intervals: 1, 3, 5

Note:  As always, if you should feel any pain when doing these exercises, then stop immediately.

Note2:  Each position shift of one fret is a change of key.  However, if the pattern is moved a whole step, it gives what is known as a Lydian sound.  Lydian refers to the 4^th mode of the major scale.

A:1:1  A triad consists of three intervals.

A:1:2  In this exercise, intervals essential to basic chording are used, except that they are not strummed, as a chord, but rather picked as an arpeggio.

A:1:3  The structure of the chord is as such, starting at the 12^th fret, the middle finger will fret the 14^th fret on the 4^th string.

A:1:4  The ring finger will fret the 14^th fret of the 5^th string.

A:1:5  The index finger will fret the 12^th fret on the 6^th string.

A:1:6  Pick the notes in the following manner; 4^th string down stroke, 5^th string up stroke, 6^th string down stroke, and then 5^th string up stroke.  Repeat this pattern 4 times.  Next, repeat the pattern 4 times using all down strokes.

A:1:7  Move the pattern to the 11^th fret, a half step back, such that the middle finger will fret the 13^th fret on the 4^th string, the ring will fret the 13^th fret of the 5^th string, and the index finger will fret the 11^th fret on the 6^th string.  Repeat this pattern 4 times first using alternating strokes, and then another 4 times using all down strokes.

A:1:8  Move the pattern to the 10^th fret, a half step back, such that the middle finger will fret the 12^th fret on the 4^th string, the ring will fret the 12^th fret of the 5^th string, and the index finger will fret the 10^th fret on the 6^th string.  Repeat this pattern 4 times first using alternating strokes, and then another 4 times using all down strokes.

A:1:9  Move the pattern back to the 9 fret and so on, but do not push yourself too hard using this fingering, as you probably won’t be able to move this pattern all the way to the 1^st  fret.  Frankly, my hands aren’t large enough to get to the first fret.  If I have to, the way I would do that is by changing my fingering.  The 3^rd fret on the 4^th string would be fretted with the pinky finger, while the 5^th string would be fretted with the ring finger, and you guessed it, the index finger frets the 1^st fret of the 6^th string.

A:1:10  Once the pattern has been moved down the fret board to the larger spaced frets, then move it back up the fret board, and see how high you can take the notes and remain comfortable.

A:1:11  Next instead of repeating the pattern 4 times and then another 4 times, play the pattern once, using  either alternate picking or down strokes or a mix and then move it down and up the fret board.

A:1:12  Lastly, use the pattern skipping whole steps.  For example, skip from fretting the pattern at the 12^th fret to fretting it at the 10^th fret, and then the 8^th fret and so on, going up and down the fret board.