@Derek V, I can’t think of any reason you shouldn’t start learning licks in box 1. I certainly think it would be more motivating and fun. The extended box 1, especially if you extend at the high end with a similar 4 note small box is where a majority of licks are played in any case. It is said, many blues players spent their entire careers there.
I would encourage you to study what the intervals are, as you work in box 1, where are the minor thirds, the flat sevens, the roots, how does the minor chord sit over the box. This way you can start integrating scales, chords and intervals right from the start. This will help you understand how the major pentatonic relates and how to colour these boxes with outside notes later on.
John

Hi Derek have you run through Brian’s Beginner course? I am sure that would do no harm and there is nothing to say you cant mix and match a bit on the way through. You’ve found a good place to learn in AM and if you stick with it you will progress well Brian is a great teacher and there is loads of support here for you. Clearly what Charjo says will get you off on a proper foundation. Make sure to keep it fun where you can but some of it is a slog so a little variety can be a way to help through the tougher bits. All the best John Strat

I don’t think there is a wrong or right way to approach learning the blues lead course. If you want to learn the pattern 1 licks go for it. Just know you don’t have to know all the licks by heart to move to the next pattern. They are just a starting point.

I went through pattern 1 then ran through the licks with the jam tracks. Then to pattern 2 and licks. Then moved forward with the rest but took the time to go back to the previous patterns as I progressed to review.

Bryce speaks the truth: For just pure fun, put on a jam track and just start playing the 1st position notes in sequence, then skip some notes, then jump around backwards and forwards a bit, but always using only the 1st position notes. Voila, it sounds like music, and you’re learning the scale at the same time! Try doing it in key of E at first, then move on up to A.

One thing that was an “ah hah!” moment for me when I first did the blues course came shortly after completing pattern 1 licks and transitioning to pattern 2… I began to figure out how some solos in some of my favorite songs were played and, while not note for note, I found I could stumble through them to the point where they sounded pretty close. I’d have to think this is a natural result of not only understanding the patterns but how they overlap in regards to the major and minor pentatonic scales. For me, the example licks are invaluable because even though I know the patterns, it can still be a struggle to “make words” out of them. Variety does keep it interesting, which keeps me progressing forward. That’s what matters most.

One thing that may not be stressed enough in the replies are the rhythms. Internalize the rhythms and let your right hand respond to the them (when playing licks, making licks out of the shapes), that’s why backing tracks help so much. It also has to do with what Mark O is saying, those songs we love all have—for the most part—strong rhythms and the soloist is responding to them.

@derek v

Hi Derek, welcome, as @charjo said, there is no reason one has to take priority, I’ve found that they reinforce each other, sometimes when I’ve had trouble remembering a complicated scale, I’ll be working on a lick from some of my favorite players and aha…the lick shows me the scale and even better, the lick gave me a useful reason to retain the scale in my head and fingers….do this long enough and you wont think in terms of scales but in terms of the sounds themselves…that takes a while…and even if some of Brian’s lessons are tough as a begninner, they are very useful for this learning process….. good luck and enjoy the journey.

Roberto