The “Secret” Pentatonic Shapes
The Minor Pentatonic scale is one of the most widely used scales in improvisation in every musical style so it makes sense to know it well all over the guitar neck. When it comes to moving beyond the first pattern learned (see my lesson on 4 Scales You Should Know) the next step is usually to introduce five overlapping patterns, each staying strictly in position on the neck. In reality, most Blues and Rock soloists connect these patterns in very repeatable ways creating just two patterns that cover the entire neck. These are shown below in the key of A:
From the fingering you can see that you play these patterns with just two fingers, sliding every other string. I would recommend practicing these patterns descending as well, usually sliding back with the index finger.
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SWEET THE PATTERN OF TWO NOTES THEN THREE NOTES ACROSS THE NECK MAKES IT EASY TO REMEMBER
@elvis747 -
The patterns fall real easy under the fingers, too!
I have played off and on since I was 12. I’m 30 now. I never felt very comfortable improvising. I knew the five pentatonic scales but I felt so limited because I couldn’t run up and down the fretboard unless I thought about another scale form and jumped up to it.
I just got done jamming to several backing tracks in different keys and these shapes you posted have single-handedly forever changed the way I will solo and improvise.
No bullshit… this is the biggest revelation I’ve had in playing for a long time. Thank you so much!!!