Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

Learn how to Improvise using these 3 “Neighborhoods” on the neck. Guitar Lesson – EP471

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, we’re splitting the entire fretboard up into 3 easy to visualize zones or “neighborhoods” that you can connect to your major and minor pentatonic scales.

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Comments

  2. JohnStrat says

    Hi Brian,
    This is a good idea for a lesson I am sure it will help lots of folk see the interconection of the pattersn and scales and add some dynamics to their playing skills.
    JohnStrat

  3. Mark W says

    This is one of your best lessons for me. I have studied many theory lessons that always include all 6 strings and all five pentatonic boxes, plus other scales along with all things CAGED. This has been a bit overwhelming to say the least. This lesson allows me to make music, while still using some of this theory and ties it all together. It outlines “the practical” of all the theory and allows me to go up and down the neck. Pretty cool! Thanks as always and keep them coming.

  15. Greg W says

    Wow, Brian… this lesson is incredibly well-timed for me! Over the past month or so – I have been putting effort into memorizing how the major/minor pentatonic scales connect with CAGED chords (E A D) up and down the neck. Lesson EP356 – really opened my eyes to how the scales and licks can be anchored to triad chord shapes. This lesson takes it a step further with notes to bend, bus line ‘connections’ and target root notes. This lesson will help me build confidence and a bit more structure with improvising and moving between the scale neighborhoods. Also – I really appreciate the end of this video – where you apply the scales to a non-blues progression. You mentioned it in the video – but your example really drives home the possibilities and versatility of the minor pentatonic.

    BTW – I’ve been a site member since last August. This is my first comment. I’m loving the site and the lessons. Keep up the great work!

  17. sciencefiction says

    One of your best lessons yet, Brian, and only needed a “Part 1” to do it. Mandatory for me to learn and master as “my only next new lesson”, if I am ever to be able to improvise. I already know all the information, just need to be able to implement it and improvise by playing over the two backing tracks.

  19. Laurance K says

    Oh, Brian, this is the one that I have been needing – to take my lead improvising up to the next level. This IS going to be my summer deep dive lesson that I keep in my daily/weekly practice,creative time. Thanks SO much.

    This type of lesson is why I tell everyone I know why they need to check you out!

  20. Raymond P says

    That was another great lesson. I truly enjoyed the way you linked the key of the song to the E, C and A shapes of the CAGED system and the Pentatonic scales. Very cool.

    Thanks Brian,
    Ray P

  22. Randy H says

    Brain:
    I love the idea of tying the Pentatonic pattern to the chord shape. it makes trying to figure out which pattern to play at which location in the neighborhood . Also the neighborhood concept makes the fretboard more manageable. Also knowing which notes are bendable just puts icing on the cake.
    Great lesson.

    Thanks,

    Randy

  23. Chuck L says

    Love it ! Very helpful. I finally picked up a guitar after 35 years and have been clunking my way around. As a young step back in the day I had no idea about scales or learning the fret board. This kind of lesson really helps jam along and enjoy guitar agai.

  32. Garry says

    Fences, neighbourhoods, bus lines! Your teaching approach is connecting so well with your guitar community Brian. As someone who has been an educator myself all my life you’ve GOT IT! Excellent teaching style and approach! All the best! 🥸🎸🥸

  34. Brad S says

    Fabulous, Brian.

    I’ve been bashing through the Caged lessons, it seems like forever, but this really makes music out of it. Thank you very much. Without wanting to blow in your ear, you have such a gift for teaching this material.

    The larger room in the video makes a huge difference to me. It feels much more inviting, while offering emotional room to maneuver. I’d love it if you remain there.

  35. Capt Dan says

    This is a perfect lesson for me at this point in my journey. I know all the major/minor positions, all the root, 3rd,5th, 7th and their minor flat 3rds & dominant flat 7ths, All the arpeggios from any string root, third, fifth, or seventh. It’s like I have so much theory information but turning them into singing melodies is frustrating on my own with nobody to play with her bounce ideas off of. I work out of the country (30d on/30d back in USA) traveling back-and-forth. So, I am an online & YouTube learner. This is a wonderful awesome thank you Brian for your time to share this information. Again premium membership at activemelody.com is the best value for online learning.

  37. Matthew C says

    Really excellent lesson, Brian…thanks! Lots of ‘a-ha’ moments for me with this one. One suggestion: it would be nice to have a diagram with the major & minor scales for each of the three (3) “neighborhoods.” Or, maybe one diagram for the majors, and one for the minors. I found myself flipping around the video a lot to find the graphics as I was memorizing them.

    Thanks again you, you rock!

    matt

  38. DouglasAlaskaDad says

    Great format Brian. The backtrack with demo and talking is excellent. Kinda like watching an advanced juggler or similar for a guy like me – the ‘problem’ for me is I can’t think at all while I’m playing. While I’m here – the micro lessons are awesome.

  39. John M says

    I very much appreciate your lessons and especially ones like this one. Your continued reinforcement of connecting scales to chords and caged chord shapes has taught me so much. and alL in a practical, musical way using different styles of music. Bravo!You have a great teaching method that’s really getting things to sink in for me.

  42. Alan S says

    Great lesson! Wished you tab out the major/minor pentatonic notes for all three position, just as your lesson plan was laid out. That would be a great reference guide for all learning the pentatonic scales. In fact that was the best demonstration of the pentatonic scales I seen. Maybe a follow up lesson so we can print it out for our reference.

    Thanks
    asiegler

  43. Edwin D says

    Thank you Brian for another brilliant lesson. I have been paying 15 years now, started when I was sixty. I would see diagrams of major and minor pentatonics and dam every time they were different. I was so confused. Then one day I saw the standard five patterns each in their own box and I memorized them front to back and back to front. I think this was a good thing. I was also confused about the fact of how each of those boxes could be played as minor or major but eventually came to understand that it all depends on where you start.
    Now after all that work I still could not make music! I have come to understand two more things needed to paly music. You need to know some of what I have learned plus facility of using you hands (barring etc) and you have to have music in your head, otherwise nothing will come out.

  44. Selina R says

    In the G neighborhood Gm is box 1 and GMajor is box 2.
    what boxes do you play in the C neighborhood and the A neighborhood for the Gm and G Major? I have only been with you a few months but I have learned soooo much. Was looking at another instructor but learned very little.
    I love the way you think and connect everything to cord shapes. love the triads, the caged system etc. the way you teach them. So blessed that I found you.

  45. Scott J says

    I found this lesson exceptionally clear and focused. You never got off track. You always stuck to the paradigm. The neighborhood model was terrific. The bus line idea was terrific. You showed everything you spoke off without too much extra. I thought this was one of your most well focused and conceived videos yet. The discussion of major and minor and where they can be used was also super clear. Nice job!!

  47. Brian Canadian in the UK says

    Cracking lesson that gets you playing and sounding good, these lessons stick with you , its like giving bits of information to store , Brian you a great teacher bud if I ever I manage to hit Nashville drinks on me cheers !!

    Thank you
    The jam track is brilliant , I have been noodling on this lesson this afternoon ,

  49. Fred W says

    In regard to “I sounded TERRIBLE), but went out the next day and picked one up. ” I am a 78 year old who loves your weekly lessons. I saw your comments about playing the fiddle and it wrong true to me.

    I guess it was about 40 years ago that I purchased a Sony 4 track recorder/player. I recorded a few tunes and was looking to add some variety to The Banks Of The Ohio. My girlfriend at the time had a violin she had since high school and so I borrowed it. After practicing for a few days I added a violin track to my guitar and vocal tracks. It was not great but it did show promise. About 3 years ago, I dug the violin out from the garage and took several lessons and tried to get better but failed. I could not even play what I played 40 years earlier.

    Just this week I am trying again. I just purchased a chin rest pad and other items to make it easier to hold. I have to be able to play this thing!!

    Good luck to you. It is better to learn when you are younger.

    By the way, I love your video and your dedication to teaching.

    Thanks
    Fred

  50. Anthony I says

    Love it but you left out what I consider important. That is a printable page of the diagrams of the notes in each position. I’ll go back and hand copy each one but downloading the six diagrams would not only save time but would be a printed page I could put in my folder for quick reference

  51. Scott L says

    I hear what your saying and I watch you make it look so easy and then I try to play with the backing tracks and my mind goes blank, I struggle changing neighborhoods without totally stopping and then I just freeze with total frustration. Maybe I should take up the fiddle or maybe take up basket weaving 😞.

  52. Tim Moran says

    This is excellent – can’t wait to fool around with it. It would have been helpful, though, to give us the chord and scale maps in the video in the tablature. I know I can figure it out, since I know the five pentatonic scale positions, but a chart with the major and minor pentatonic maps that go with the chord shapes, and the bendable notes, would help. Otherwise, the lesson is a real eye opener…

  56. Simon brewer says

    A marvellous lesson Brian. Cheers. This has helped me finally after nigh on 50 yrs grasp where key notes are on the fret board and has spurred me on to learn notes immediately either side of these to get to grips with something I really should’ve mastered years ago. That’s a truly wonderful simplicity to your approach to teaching which I like, making learning easier and much more fun.

  57. jseppi says

    Why? Why? Why? I appreciate that you always explain concepts and answer “why?” in a way we don’t need to rely on anything but out guitars and the melody in our mind. Thanks

  58. alasdair L says

    Hi Brian, I think the lesson is great as I’ve got a little lost on some of the lessons recently and what you call easy is easy for you but not too easy for me. Could I make a request here? Is there any chance of tabs for the licks in the lesson? II think if I could get the tabs off I would get a great sense of achievement as they all sound real cool but at the end of the day your fingers still move too fast for me and your hands hide your fingers. This is one of the problems with online videos but some give you the chance to slow them down and/or show the tabs
    Thanks
    Alasdair
    Your lessons are still the best

  61. Phip says

    Can the “neighborhoods” be transposed to other keys if we move the root notes in these penta scales to the notes that match the keys? So where the G is here, find the A notes in the same penta scales just two frets up the fretboard and we’d be good to “jam” in the key of A?

  62. jeff a says

    471 was a light bulb for me. I get it!! Thank you. “im getting on the Bus” and moving in and out of the various neighborhoods in “GMaj-town”. Once I get G-town worked out then I’ll try and venture into another key. Big help this week. Im really glad I looked at this one

  63. CalBob says

    Brian, this is a well-timed lesson for me. I have been working on blending major to minor P scales and this lesson has really helped. I may now be able to jam with my band mates. Thank you Brian.

  66. sukumaran u says

    I am a self learner without any training on music or instruments. After I watched this, I am slowly getting glimpses of the application of theory, what is the meaning of improvisation, the regions of the fretboard, relationship between musical intervals etc. I think I have reached the door step of methods to express thoughts or feelings into music. A major transition point in my long journey of self learning music, a point where mere memorizing the song and repeating it on the instrument changes to expressing thoughts and feelings. I will be taking small steps in this direction carefully to avoid disappointments while learning.

    I never knew this was what I was looking for, Thank you Brian !

  68. Souraphong R says

    Great lesson, Brian! As a beginner learning to become familiar with the fretboard, this lesson helped me connect the Major and Minor pentatonic scale as well as the three regions. The Tabs and the backing tracks will make it easy for me to practice moving from Major to Minor and vice versa. Thank you!

  69. Jeff ("Jeffro ") J says

    Brian, I like that your lessons are clear and focused. I understand every thing you say, and I love your analogies. This particular lesson has been great for helping me improvise and play in different parts of the neck. I never had a problem making music and sounding good, but I did have a problem trying to move to a different place on the neck, being able to relate the 2 places. I think this will really help, all I need to do now is practice!
    (On that front, I’ll have to wait until the muscle spasms in my neck subside, so I can use my electric guitar, with the strap. Six months post-op, and I’m still having spasms, I’m getting impatient!
    But at least my fretting hand isnt cramping up any more, finally! Overall, glad i had the surgery. So much better, just taking too long to recover!)

  73. Boland says

    Great lesson but I would like your opinion on which notes are bendable in the A position and whether they are full or half bends. Also the bends you showed on the C position are not identified as full or half. The E position is done perfectly.

  74. Mike R says

    This is certainly one of your best Brian. Amazing way to look at the fretboard. I diagramed the scales myself immediately so that I could look at them side by side and then I just took off.
    Looking at the fretboard this way also made me connect the other two patterns (D & G) to get an even greater sound. Been dreaming about this stuff ever since. All the scales can be looked at like one big scale that you just pick from to create a different mood. This is quite mind expanding. Thanks for unlocking the fretboard this much. Now, I still have to be able to see diminished and augmented and other embellishments the same way. There must also be a way to see the fretboard in a similar fashion when playing the chord changes, wouldn’t there be?

  76. Daniel B says

    something I don’t understand about the “cheat sheet”
    Shouldn’t the minor shapes be named (From top down)
    G shape G minor pentatonic
    D Shape G minor pentatonic
    C Shape G minor pentatonic
    ?

  78. Russell H says

    BB KIng made a great living not straying too far from this model – good enough for him – good enough for me
    Brians ability to communicate this stuff is what makes this site so valuable
    I figure I should have this mastered in about 10 years if I really dedicate myself – so much guitar stuff – so little time
    Cheers to all

  83. Maurizio M says

    right.., that’s it…
    after a ton of clips and tips from the Youtube crowd, and trials and failures (trail and error they say, for ages I got only the former), this lad comes along, talks of neighborhoods, connection buses and whatever and suddenly.. I’M ABLE TO SWITCH AT WILL BETWEEN MAJOR AND MINOR PENTATONIC!!!! I’m playing stuff that makes “musical” sense.
    what the hell…!! great stuff mate you made not just my day,

  84. Peter W says

    I have the same question as Phip on June 29.
    “Can the “neighborhoods” be transposed to other keys if we move the root notes in these penta scales to the notes that match the keys? So where the G is here, find the A notes in the same penta scales just two frets up the fretboard and we’d be good to “jam” in the key of A?”
    In other words, how do we use this knowledge to improvise in other keys?

  86. Richard J.R says

    Hi Brian, Long time since I posted or did anything. I guess the trains in my community were easier to connect rather than the buses.. Very clever approach, short,, sweet and effective. You must have watched “Mr. Rogers?”

    Richard J>

  87. JACOB B says

    Downloaded the Major and Minor scale cheat sheet for the key of G that you provided. Are the shapes in the Major Pentatonic correct? I thought the E-Shape was a D-Shape Pattern 2, the C-Shapea A pattern 4, and the A-Shape a G pattern 5. I might be confused. please let me know. Really love this lesson.

  88. JACOB B says

    Disregard my previous comment. I downloaded a major pentatonic scale chart. With my previous comment, I was matching the major pentatonic scales and patterns with the minor pentatonic scale and patterns.

  90. Steve (Ruffcutt) R says

    Hey Brian, just want you to know that before this lesson, my lead guitar sounded more like a Japanese serenade rather than blues music. I caught this lesson about 2 weeks ago watched, kinda got it but I was meh….Ive been up since 530 this morning and with a fresh cup of coffee in hand I watched the lesson again and again. Something clicked at around 8 and Ive been doing nothing but advancing every hour and I refuse to put my guitar down! All morning Ive been jamming to a set of backing tracks that I put together in Gmajor (so I could play the minor too) wink wink.

    How do I transpose to, like the key of A?

    Next to time, the most precious gift someone can give is how to make music. You’ve done that for me today Brian and I cant thank you enough. Thank you!

    Steve “Ruffcutt” Rawlins

    • Benjamin T says

      “How do I transpose to, like the key of A?”

      This is what I’m wondering, too. How to use these “neighborhoods” in different keys. I suspect that it depends where the root note is. So if you were playing in the key of B, the neighborhood closest to the neck would be the A neighborhood, since the A-shaped barre chord in B is barred in the second fret. At least that’s how I think it would work, but I would be curious what you learned.

  92. Benjamin T says

    Interesting lesson. One thing I don’t understand- what if the song is in a key other than G? Like if I was playing in the key of b, would the A “neighborhood” be the closest to the kneck? The video makes it seem like the area closest to the neck is always the E neighborhood. I love your lessons, I just wish there was an easier way to pose questions like this.

  93. Guy C says

    That is the greatest lesson ever! I did four years online study at Berklee, wasted thousands and never got that information into my head, this is the lesson I needed as a fifteen year old starting out…..brilliantly explained and executed! Thank you so much 😎👍

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