Learning the Pentatonic shapes

[David E]

I have pattern 1 of the Blues scale down pretty good and wondering what approach I should take from here. I’m working through EP146 and when Brian is explaining the notes in the basic lick he mentions that he is in position #4 low on the neck. I’d like to start progressing my knowledge of where I am on the fretboard. Should I just do the Blues lead course and learn all 5 patterns, or because I am using pattern 4, just work on that until I have it down like I do with pattern 1?

Any advice on approaches to learn the minor pentatonic scale are greatly appreciated.

…DE

[charjo]

David,
If I can emphasize two things.

1) There are 5 shapes but there are only 5 notes(6 with the “blue note”). The complete set are within each shape. Start trying to make music even after learning only pattern 1. Don’t feel like you need all 5 shapes before you can play anything. You can play an entire 12 bar in one position. So, yes, don’t be in a hurry to move on from position 4.

2)Try to see each new position you learn around the root notes it contains. The “octave pattern” will be your ultimate navigation tool to move between boxes. Ultimately you will see the major pentatonic over those same roots and start to mix the two scales in one position (as well as complete major and minor scales). Advanced players can even shift scales within one position again based on the tonic (root) of the scale.

John

[David E]

Thanks as always John!!!

[sunjamr]

Here’s how I learned the pentatonic scale shapes: I learned one shape per day by rote memorization, like when I was in elementary school. I put on the same jamtrack each day and noodled around in that position several times throughout the day. At the end of the 5 days, I practiced joining the 5 positions together by working within 2 or 3 positions at a time. Like, if you’re in Position 1, slide up into Position 2. Also, I was thinking about where within each position could I bend notes?

Pretty soon I developed favorite pentatonic positions. In order of user friendliness: 1st > 4th > 2nd > 5th > 3rd.

I’m sure we all have our own favorite pentatonic positions. And maybe they aren’t the same for major and minor pent.

Sunjamr Steve

[Michael K]

That EP146 is a great lesson because it’s fairly slow and deliberate, giving you time to think through it. Don’t worry too much about the scales and positions as much as just practicing the licks he is showing you in the composition. Try to connect those licks to the patterns you know.

Eventually, you will learn all the patterns, but there is no need to rush through them. Just practice getting good rhythm and timing playing lesson material. In that particular lesson there are a lot of really great licks.

I didn’t learn those five patterns for a very long time. I probably should have, but I just wanted to play something that sounded good.

[David E]

@sunjamr thanks for the advice. I’m learning in my 40’s with limited time so I think I will use your approach but stick noodling with a shape for a bit until I at least nail the root notes before moving on.

[David E]

@Michael K agreed. I’m trying to progress through EP146 without getting too side tracked. Admittedly I am bad for this as I like to understand what I am doing.

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