Patterns are a great way of putting scales to work. Not only do they get you out of any do-re-mi rut, they expand your musical vocabulary. They also expand your mind by forcing you to think about systems within systems—and sometimes within other systems. For example, this diminished pattern is a three note system:
within another system of minor thirds:
And you could repeat that entire pattern by another interval, thereby creating a system within a system within a system! Patterns can be extremely complex mathematically. Developing your own will help strengthen your creativity as well as your chops.
In a solo, use patterns as a starting point or as a connecting point between phrases. Exploit their repetition to increase tension. Winding down a solo with a descending pattern is an effective way to give the listener something recognizable to hold on to as they ease back into their seat. And, of course, you can use a super fast and complex pattern to just plain astonish your audience.
Get all of my TOP SECRET patterns for free:
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about graham
i’m not even into music, but i must say that “Top Secret Patterns (shhh, they’re free!)” is in amazing headline. it got me to click! but while we’re on the topic, could one say that these “patterns within patterns” exist in a holarchic arrangment?
-p
Oooh, yeah… holarchy. Paul, you know my music theory is integral, baby.
Graham, Thanks for the patterns and for introducing me to this concept (percept?)
of holarchy. Integration is imperative for progess, no? 
Best,
Dean
You’re welcome, Dean. Yes, development depends on integration.
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