Diatonic scales are 7-note scales like the major and minor scales, as well as the modes. We can play through the scales using two different types of musical motion: conjunct motion and disjunct motion.
Conjunct motion is a very linear approach to sequencing notes into a melody. It involves playing in a sequential order without skipping any notes as you ascend or descend your way through a scale. Conjunct motion may be the way to go if you're just getting started. Practice ascending and descending through scales by increasing speed gradually over time. The downside of this motion is that it's difficult to use in a way that stands out musically. When you're steadily going up or down many notes at a time, it just sounds like you're just running through scales. Because that's exactly what you're doing. You make conjunct motion more interesting by periodically changing the directionality of your notes.
Disjunct motion involves greater jumps or skips between notes. The intervals played during this type of motion are greater than a step or a half step. This allows more variety in shred sequences which often present as licks. Disjunct motion is the next best step you can take after getting familiar with new scales. Using this motion in solos makes them more musical and prevents them from sounding like practice exercises. For example, instead of playing through a scale note-by-note to get from one note to another, you can climb your way between notes by ascending or descending in thirds.
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