One of Chet Atkins’ greatest arrangements is taken from his 1968 recording, Solo Flights. The arranging is so intelligent and so tasteful…very difficult to play by anyone else’s hands but by Chet’s. It is indeed one of his finest moments on record in my opinion.
We will be looking at the cross string scale that Chet uses as a transition during the modulation from the key of E minor to A minor at measures 57-58. The usage of cross string scales is technically referred to as campanella technique, a term from the Baroque period. Scales during this period were commonly articulated by fingering scale passages across strings to create a legato or overlapping sound. Please see measures 57-58 on page 80 of the book, Chet Atkins In Three Dimensions - Fifty Years of Legendary Guitar, Volume One.
This particular cross string scale is the A blues scale, A,C,D,D sharp, E, G, A.
You will notice in the score I use a enharmonic spelling for the D sharp, I use E flat instead. The key to success is defining the chorography of the right hand. Please practice the right hand fingerings by themselves without the complexity of the left hand fingers. Once you have this down, go ahead and very slowly incorporate the left hand fingerings. Be careful to allow the weight from each finger in the left hand to “empty” into the next finger, this will give a easy or relaxed feel to your scales.
If you have trouble, remember the “golden rule of musicianship,” go slowly. The mind plays the guitar...not your fingers...and consistency and beauty of sound is the goal. I would also suggest you practice this scale in varied subdivisions…in this way it will be new to you each time you play it!
