String-skip zigzag riff — E minor
A riff built on wide skips between non-adjacent strings, inside position 1 of the E minor pentatonic. It pushes picking-hand accuracy beyond the string-by-string run: the pick has to find a string it doesn't usually cross, without hesitating and without catching the strings in between.
Tips
Anchor the hand lightly (pinky or side of the palm) to keep a fixed reference during the skips.
Minimal forearm motion: it's mostly the wrist that rotates to change strings.
Play the skeleton without rhythm first (pitches only), add the rhythm once the skips are secure.
Understanding this type of exercise
What this riff trains
Pushing picking-hand accuracy beyond the string-by-string run: the pick has to find a non-adjacent string without hesitating, inside position 1 of the pentatonic.
Practical tips and common mistakes
- Anchor the hand lightly (pinky or side of the palm) to keep a fixed reference during the skips.
- Minimal forearm motion: it's mostly the wrist that rotates to change strings.
- Mute the skipped-over strings — flat fretting hand, or palm — or a missed skip is heard twice.
- Play the skeleton without rhythm first (pitches only), add the rhythm once the skips are secure.
Tablature
Fretboard position
root note other scale note
The same exercise in other keys
- String-skip zigzag riff — A minor
- String-skip zigzag riff — C minor
- String-skip zigzag riff — G minor
- String-skip zigzag riff — D minor
- String-skip zigzag riff — B minor
- String-skip zigzag riff — F minor
- String-skip zigzag riff — F# minor
- String-skip zigzag riff — C# minor
- String-skip zigzag riff — G# minor
- String-skip zigzag riff — D# minor
- String-skip zigzag riff — A# minor
Related sheets
- Rock in A minor — advanced hobbyist level (Level 5)
- Rock in B minor — syncopated rhythm (Level 5)
- Rock in D (Drop D II) — syncopated muted strums (Level 5)