String Skipping — 2 Notes Per String
The simplest possible string skipping pattern: 2 notes on string 6, skip string 5, 2 notes on string 4, skip string 3, 2 notes on string 2 — then reverse back down. All notes are from the A minor pentatonic box 1 (frets 5 and 7). One measure up, one measure down. The skipped string is always in between — your pick must arc cleanly over it every single time.
Tablature
First few measures of the exercise.
How to Practice
- 1Measure 1 (ascending): str6 fret 5 → str6 fret 7 → SKIP str5 → str4 fret 5 → str4 fret 7 → SKIP str3 → str2 fret 5 → str2 fret 8. Two notes on each string, one string skipped between each pair.
- 2Measure 2 (descending): reverse — str2 fret 8 → str2 fret 5 → SKIP str3 → str4 fret 7 → str4 fret 5 → SKIP str5 → str6 fret 7 → str6 fret 5. Same pattern, same skips, going back down.
- 3Loop M1→M2 continuously. The transition from the end of M2 back to the start of M1 is a full-string jump (str6 → str6) — keep the tempo locked.
Tips & Techniques
- •The pick must physically arc over the skipped string — do not try to sneak under it. Make a deliberate upward arc motion before landing on the target string.
- •Practice the arc on open strings first: skip string 5 between string 6 and string 4 repeatedly, without fretting anything, until the motion feels natural.
- •Alternate picking throughout: down on the first note of each string, up on the second. The skip happens on a down stroke — your pick arcs up over the skipped string and comes down onto the next.
- •Go slow. At 60 BPM with 8th notes, you have plenty of time to aim. Accuracy matters far more than speed here.
- •A dead buzz on the skipped string means your pick caught it. Reduce the arc height gradually until the skip is clean but not sloppy.
Ready to Practice?
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