May 25 Challenge – Manfred M – My Lightbulb: The Diagonal Pentatonic Method

[Manfred M]

Hey my AM friends,

One of my lightbulb moments in recent months was discovering the Diagonal Pentatonic Method.

In my video, I try to explain how it works. This method has helped me connect the pentatonic boxes all over the fretboard. In my video, I demonstrate how to use it for the major pentatonic scale, but it also works for the minor pentatonic scale.

If you are interested in further information, I recommend visiting Daniel Seriff’s YouTube channel, where you can find a few videos that explain this approach very well.

I recorded my video two weeks ago because I’m currently on a three-week trip to Greece without my guitar. This is how it looks like.

Even if the corners of my mouth are turning downwards in the picture, don’t worry, I’m more than fine. I had to try really hard to look a bit sad.

As always, I look forward to your comments, and I’m excited to see and hear what you’ve come up with. I’ll enjoy listening to your “lightbulb moments” under the Greek sun.

Best wishes to you all!
Manfred

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be on February 28, 2026

For more information click here

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Jennifer D]

Thank Manfred that was new to me and it sounds really nice when you slide up to the third note! Your musical piece at the end was very cool! 👍

[charjo]

The blue sea over your shoulder looks very depressing, Manfred, please try to cheer up.
Another very useful tool for improvising, well demonstrated in your wonderful lead.
The minor alternative is 2-3 pattern starting on the b7 but you kept your video concise and to the point unlike my tome, yet to be completed.
Have a great 13th holiday in Greece!
John

[Richard G]

First prize for the Air Guitar Manfred. Your presentation was spot on, the diagonal pentatonic is a real valuable tool in the armoury and demonstrated by you so well.

Richard

[Bill]

Love the Greek picture! 😅

Very good explanation and example of this diagonal method. So many ways to view the fretboard!

[Alan L]

Always nice to make connections across the fretboard. Thanks for sharing this!

[AndréM]

Well explained and useful.
Mine is about something similar to yours.
Nice playing at the end.

AndréM

AndréM

[James B]

Well presented, Manfred. I can use all the helpful tips I can get trying to navigate between the different patterns. Thanks for the demo.

James

[Paul S.]

I do this a lot in minor, I think. I never knew it had a name, however.
(Now I am going to start naming all my moves, like the Syncopated Half-Step Double-Stop Slide Progression.

Your example was really pretty, by the way, and a little country.

Best, however, was the photo in Greece. Hope you didn’t find yourself in the earthquake.

[Michael L]

Hi Manfred, yes, sad face without the guitar. We can all relate to that.
I love that diagonal pattern. I had a guitar teacher show that to me about 15 years ago, but it never stuck until working on Brian’s lessons for a while and learning to better improvise. Now, I can’t imagine not using it. You demonstrated it very well, and an enjoyable, country-rock style musical highlight. Great!

[JoeD1]

Brilliantly explained, played, and improvised! I’m gonna use that pattern for sure. I feel terrible for you having to travel for 3 weeks to Greece. 😁

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[sunjamr]

Aha! I also just learned that scale progression a few months ago. But I have to confess, I have not yet got it fully integrated into my lick library or improv. Nicely demonstrated, Manfred!

Sunjamr Steve

[JoLa]

Ah, yes – that’s a good one, Manfred! It was once my light bulb moment as well 🙂

Your demo sounded really good, a great example and an explanation.

The air guitar photo cracked me up, haha!

🎸JoLa

[Laurel C]

Manfred, Something just clicked with your presentation. I have dabbled in something similar called pattern one extensions which has a couple of notes extra. But now it’s a lightbulb switch for me starting on the 5th fret (root not A shape pattern through the G shape Pattern . Great submission and your phrasing arrangement was so melodic and takes it beyond a scale which you played skilfully.

[KT]

Enjoyed your presentation
Definitely a great lesson on Diagonal pentatonic which I need to master.
Thank you
KT

[Wayne Nunez]

Great explanation and a nice pattern to learn,nice job!

[Martin W]

Hi Manfred, you explain this idea very well , and it simplifies the pentatonic in another structure, very useful indeed .
I am also a fan of Daniel Seriff’s channel,
I watched your solo experiment , with his backing track , you played great and so melodic , demonstrating this concept well .
hats off to you for trying that out .
( I hope to make the next zoom meeting “life”got in the way this time )
Happy holidays.

Martin

[Mark T]

Firstly, Manfred, I immediately had a huge grin on my face when I saw your Greece photo – I didn’t even need to read your message; I knew you were having a joke as you never naturally look like this 😂😂

Your explanation and demonstration were superb and perfectly performed. Hope you’re having a wonderful time soaking up the Greek sun – Mark 👍🎶😎

[Gary W]

That’s helpful Manfred, thank you very much.

Gary

[Pap]

Manfred, that was really well played. I have seen the pentatonic scale played so many ways its incredible. You can use that pattern to slide up into a traditional pattern and go on from there. Thanks for sharing and also thanks for organizing the telcons. I could not make the last one but watched part of the vid. Really nice to stay connected. Cheers. Pap

[Werner]

Thank you Manfred for this technical insight. I still live in the pentatonic boxes. But your method will break the boundaries. Thank you.

Weiterhin schönen Urlaub

Werner

[Dieter]

Very interesting and great playing.

Dieter

[Serena C]

connecting the different boxes of the pentatonic scale has always been a challenge for me, thanks for sharing this approach Manfred!

If I wasn't making mistakes I wouldn't be the kind of player I want to be. Perfection is dangerous.
It's all about taking risks, sometimes you get to some place, sometimes you get to a different place. (Brian May)

[Bob Utberg]

Nice explanation Manfred! I use this all the time to travel around the fret board without simply “jumping” around. Anther fine teacher that explains this technique is Griff Hamlin on Blues Guitar Unleashed. Cheers!

Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)

[John H]

Manfred,
Very interesting concept. Gonna have to give this a look.
I loved you sweet solo at the end. Highly entertaining and musical. Enjoy Greece.

John

[Denise]

Very useful to know the diagonal patterns! Especially when you’re soloing. Thanks for sharing!

Have a great time in Greece.
Denise

More Blues!

[Author]

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