Comments on: The “Secret” Pentatonic Shapes

By: David K

David K — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 22:29:19 +0000

Another cool thing about these patterns is that the so called “blue” notes – the flat 5s – are all in the middle of the slides. Makes for a nice triplet feel if you slow down through some of those slides.

By: Storm

Storm — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:50:54 +0000

@bluesmike: As a quick tip, stay on the Major Pentatonic for the I chord and then switch to the Minor Pentatonic for the IV and V chords. I should post a lesson on this shortly. Look out for it!

@fullbirdmusic: Right. That move works with any Minor Pentatonic pattern. I think it help to learn the Major Pentatonic patterns overlapping the Minor Pentatonic, too. Allows you to switch between scales more smoothly.

The “BB box” also includes the 4th scale tone. Not a true Major Pentatonic.

By: fullbirdmusic

fullbirdmusic — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 22:00:21 +0000

@bluesmike

You can change from minor pentatonic to major in the same key by taking the most-used box pattern of the pentatonic scale from the minor key position, moving it down three frets and changing the root. Very cool and is used by Billy Gibbons, Angus Young, Joe Perry, and many other rock guitarists. Cheers.

PS: look up the “BB box” and you will find a lesson like that. On the treble strings, where it switches from 2 notes per string to 3 is where it lies.

By: bluesmike

bluesmike — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:25:50 +0000

this is pretty helpful thanks… i was wondering if there is a lesson out there that teaches one how to switch between minor and major pentetonic in 12 bar format.. that style of B.B.King and Buddy Guy that is so pleasing to the ear when switching between the IV and the V

By: Storm

Storm — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:33:00 +0000

@Jack: I don’t know how much of a ‘secret’ these are, either. It just made for a catchy title. And I think you’re right. Learning famous solos show how separate patterns are connected in real-world soloing. I think I will do some lessons on that subject, more licks. Thanks!

By: Jack

Jack — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:40:26 +0000

This is no big secret. Look closely at them. Look familiar? This is a speedy and convenient way to get from one pentatonic/Blues “box” position to the others smoothly. But thanks for posting this–I swear I played guitar for 5 years (back in the days before teh Interwebs and the tablatures) before I figured this out on my own. My advice would be to practice the holy crap out of this–at first just hit all the notes accurately. Then start messing with them trying to do musical things. You’ll be surprised how many legendary guitar solos and fills are played using this same map. I believe just about any scale you would want to use could be mapped out this way if you thought about it. But this is the king of versatility right here.

By: Travis

Travis — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 01:48:05 +0000

I love this method and have used it for years now.

If you guys like this diagonal pattern, I have a similar method for ALL 7 POSITIONS of the major scale, and subsequently, all the modes. It’s on my website.

http://www.hoogyweb.com/2007/08/26/travs-super-duper-diagonal-scale-method/

Let me know what you think.

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:09:04 +0000

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!!!

By: Storm

Storm — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:11:32 +0000

@elvis747 - The patterns fall real easy under the fingers, too!

By: elvis747

elvis747 — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 01:09:23 +0000

SWEET THE PATTERN OF TWO NOTES THEN THREE NOTES ACROSS THE NECK MAKES IT EASY TO REMEMBER