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This simple square patterns gives you both major & minor pentatonic lead options – Guitar Lesson EP489

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play both major and minor pentatonic scales in the same song, using a simple box shape that is easy to visualize and use.

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Comments

  3. Eric v says

    Simplicity is sublime!

    You’re on a roll Brian, 5 weeks in a row of incredible lessons. Thank you so much, for what you do, you’re the best, and you’re making me a better player.
    Eric

  11. mritalian says

    Wow Brian, you sure know how to teach and that’s a very difficult thing to do. Great approach and well thought out. Appreciate the thought that went into this one on connecting the shapes. Thank you Ron T

  13. sciencefiction says

    Amazing lesson, Brian! It never sunk in my brain before just the utility of the two stacked boxes at the seventh fret (10:09). Bottom two strings (1&2)-major pentatonic; top two strings (3&4)-minor pentatonic. Great call and response you made just going between the two boxes (10:09-10:18). Great improvising space one can practice here even with your eyes closed.
    Larry

  14. Chris R says

    Another real gem, Brian. I love the way it effectively removes, as much as possible, the tendency to just ‘scale run’ when Improvising. It brings actual music-making into focus instead, and makes it really easy to brew your own licks. Fabulous stuff!

  16. Max d says

    Actually, now listened to just first video, very insightful! Should have known it, but you explained it simply and made it very easy for us ‘lumberjacks’ to take into our noggins!

  17. Mark W says

    Brian another fantastic lesson. At my age I can learn a lead but I just can’t retain it unless I play it regularly over and over again. I play mostly on my own and aspire to improvise and just have fun. Your lessons like this are just amazing. Straight up when I put a backing track on I am away and using the knowledge that you have given me. This lesson combined with the triad lessons a few weeks ago have added so much to my ability to improvise. Thanks again.

  20. Rich F says

    This is a brilliant lesson, Brian! I love simple, I love staying in the key of the song, and I love your lessons involvimg box shapes. As Science Fiction has said, the two stacked boxes at the seventh fret (around 10 minutes into the video)… swirching the set of strings to go from major to minor… I had never thought of that… a real light bulb moment for me….

    The somg reminded me of “Thank you for being a friend” by Andrew Gold.

  22. Harry B says

    This is without a doubt the best lesson you have given us yet, Brian–at least it is for me. It explains so clearly the difference between playing in the key of the song and playing the chord changes.

    I am 86 and been playing since I was about 12. All my life I have been playing the chord changes which is a good thing to do, but it is as if I never fully understood the pure simplicity and advantages of staying in the key of the song.

    Not least among the things it does is that it suddenly makes clear why the pentatonic scale is so universally popular. This box pattern that can be played all over the neck makes it impossible to get out of the pentatonic scale–and, hence, out of the key of the song–as long as my muscle memory can keep me in the patterns.

    This lesson unlocks things that I have understood to some degree but have never really applied to my playing–such as how to use the major and minor scales.

    No doubt I have more things to work on than I have years left, but at least the things that I am learning from your lessons will make the years more enjoyable.

    Thanks, Brian.

  24. Jim M says

    The concept of the boxes with just a limited number of notes, simplifies Improvisation tremendously. And the advice to use the minor pentatonic notes as spice for the major pentatonic notes is priceless. The new guitar looks and sounds great Brian.

  26. judah L says

    love ya man! this lesson is so simple and so cool! But, I am concerned about your overall well-being because of the mental anxiety of having to choose an ax out of your collection to pick up and play! Geez!

  28. Laurel C says

    These simple box shaped lessons pack a punch, just like ml070 these solos just sound so sophisticated, yet made with simple ingredients out of a box. This is going to be fun to play, makes you want to sing along with it as it is such a catchy tune. Great lesson objective on the major and minor with the focus on the note B. Brian, you have this knack of teaching an objective yet making fantastic musical arrangements to be able to play. Love the antique tobacco look of the P-125 Wide Sky, sounds great too.

  31. Gordon G says

    I really learned a lot in this lesson! The ideas around it are slowing all starting to come together!
    Thank you for these great lessons!
    I also just caught up with a video you did with Tomo Fujita! Having worked with the Toyota Manufacturing System during my career, I can really appreciate the discipline his teaching brings to guitar playing! Thank you for that link!

  35. Harry B says

    The point by Jim M about using these boxes as a way to move in and out of major and minor is spot on. I never knew that it was so easy to do but Brian’s explanation has made it clear. I can understand how it would simplify improvisation “tremendously” as Jim says.

    I don’t know if there is more to be said about it that might be useful in terms of incorporating it into a practice routine. I am already starting to work at it. Maybe another lesson along these lines would be helpful–just a thought, Brian.

    Thanks again for the great lessons you come up with, Brian. You’re the best.

  36. Geoff says

    One thing I didn’t know what the minor pentatonic box right above the major pentatonic box. I always learn a new little thing from these lessons, and they have really helped me to improve my playing.

    Thanks for yet another great lesson 🙂

  38. Neil T says

    This was one of the most accessible lessons for me to date. Often times I only get a snippet from a lesson that I try to incorporate in my journey. But this lesson worked for me from start to finish. It was almost like a micro lesson. But even some of those are a bit of a challenge. Thank you Brian for creating a lesson that the rest of us could use.

  40. Andre H says

    Brian maybe stupid question but you said you can do a half bend on right hand side of the box when the 4th chord is played. You play then a D (or a b3). How does that work with the E chord for B. That will be a flat 7 for the E chord? Thanks, Andre

  42. alon z says

    Great lesson.
    Well, I’ve been practicing for at least five hours a day since I joined active melody a month ago.
    For me it is a dream come true.
    And it still only increases the appetite. great job!

  45. Tom G says

    I’m an old guy who has been writing songs for years. In my younger years I played in a lot of bands and then went solo. I right funny songs and I have an ability to entertain a crowd but I’ve never been satisfied with my guiitar work. After 20 years on the road playing in bands I took a long break and became a psychotherapist But I always go back to my 1st love which is songwriting. I did my 1st solo gic in several months last night after suffering some back injuries. I’ve been learning from your videos for 2 years now , I have learned so much from you and for the 1st time last night I felt that my guitar playing was up to the level of my songwriting and the response for the crowd validated my impression. Bryan , I am so grateful for all that you’ve taught me over these 2 years. I’m truly blessed to have stumbled on to this website. So many others must share my sentiments. You’ve increased the quality of guitar playing around the world. What a great thing to do with your life. Thanks so much.

  49. Kevin S says

    Hey Brian, nice lesson. I’m on your site almost every morning, and I’m not a big “commenter” guy but I had to give you five stars for this one. Concise material packing a lot of punch. Keep up the good work; you do an amazing job keeping a river of information flowing week-in, week-out. Thanks.
    Kevin S.

  58. Gordon T says

    Nice lesson Brian! Normally when jamming with a backing track I like to use the Minor Pent, just a habit I guess. And sliding from position 1 to position two, I use a lot. What I don’t do is switch between Major and Minor very often. After watching this lesson will endeavor to fix that. Funny how we sometimes never see the simple things.

  59. Peter D says

    Good practical Lesson Brian – I have learned a lot from your site – well worth the money! Using these boxes I can link your other lessons using major and minor penatonics up and down the neck? Not as good as you though:)

  62. Samantha S says

    Hi Brian

    Great lesson – the pentatonic shapes in all positions and major and minor. Know where the root note is. which notes can be bent – all can be a little too much information.

    This lesson cuts all that away and I can be more creative and confident, and I still understand the theory. It is so easy to become stuck. Just a great lesson – the fretboard on the side just helps visually to support the information. Maybe a tab of the shapes?

    Again, great learning – Thank you

  63. John L says

    I’m just not musical I fear.
    Have been trying to play Art Blakeys MOANIN on guitar in key of B using the minor pentatonic and not finding anything beyond the intro. At least nothing that sounded right. These box patterns were right under my nose. Frustrating because I know the scales well enough to hear then or, at very least, see them. Ergh!

    The lesson turned a bright light on.
    It’s helped me to slide from chord to scale shapes. I think it’s working on 5th string roots too?

    Very helpful lesson for confidence. Glad it wasn’t a rattle snake

  64. Bobs Ultra-339 Electric Guitar Level 2 Vintage Sun says

    I just know all the old men who follow you are saying are saying where in hell were you 20 years ago when I first started trying to figure this out. Most of us would have thought this lesson would have been worth the price of a years subscription. I recommend this site to all my friends who are starting to play guitar. I get a lot of compliments from the people who follow my advice . Keep up the great work Brian. You have found your calling.

  72. Bruce G says

    Hey-

    Thanks again Brian for this great lesson! As noted by others, the string of lessons over the past 5-6 weeks has been remarkable. You continue to step up your teaching game.

    Brian–occasionally you encourage us to highlight an “aha” or “light bulb” moment. I see quite a number in the comments here….I thought I would put something I’ve discovered in writing here (OK, maybe it’s a “DUH” moment…but it is a light bulb for me).

    Organizing and simplifying the fretboard with 4 boxes to cover major and minor is super cool… breaking it down further:

    – obviously you don’t really need to learn the pentatonic patterns to use this box idea, but knowing pattern 1 and 2 gives you the ability to work ACROSS the fretboard in those simple boxes as well as up and down the entire length of the fretboard. That’s pretty cool, but guess what—you only need to learn TWO of the pentatonic patterns (not all 5)! That’s also a great way to make it simpler for us beginners.

    Start with the simple boxes—but next step is to learn just TWO of the 5 pentatonic patterns….step THREE…all five of course!

    – your demonstration was for the key of B. But this string of 4 boxes across major and minor holds together for anything from G (open strings down by the nut) up to D (at least on my acoustic with no cut-away)…maybe all the way to E with an electric before you break the chain and have to wrap around back to the nut. F would be a mess….but the point is, you can cover a heck of lot of songs with being able to play across the keys of G to D with this simple “template” Way cool!

    Two bright lights for me. Love it—I’m continually amazed…please keep ’em coming!

    Bruce

  74. Ned N says

    Awesome lesson Brian. You do a great job in taking something small and simple and expanding it in such a way that it’s easily understood and becomes a launch pad to more potential improving.

  77. David S says

    Brian, Have learned so much in last 5 lessons. From time to time I get behind and don’t finish a lesson. This was the case on EP468. Went back and finished and learned a lot of good licks that can be used in a lot of situations.Really liked it also. Keep up the good work. Playing in the key is so good! Keep up the good works. Dave

  78. Michael A says

    Thank you Brian! I have been with you now for 2
    years and although I have been playing guitar for many years, I can’t believe how much I’ve learned and progressed. Best investment I’ve ever made. Another great lesson, easy to understand and apply. As many have said,
    I don’t know how you knock it out of the park every week. Btw, seeing your many guitars from week to week, has inspired me to add six to my collection!

  85. Jason G says

    Hi Brian,

    Been a member off and on over the years. One thing I wanted to say is I enjoy that you do not teach someone else’s music. I feel like I learn skills and a little theory with each lesson. You also have a very warm and encouraging personality which makes the videos a pleasure to watch. Thank you.

  90. Mike G says

    Great lesson Brian,
    A while back you mentioned you were going to start adding the rhythm to your lessons.
    Is it possible to show the chord progression where you are playing it on the fret board?

  91. Trevor P says

    I have a clarifying question. Around the 7:20 mark on the video, the second box, shouldn’t that come from pattern 2, not pattern 1. Have I totally missed something?
    I can see that box 1 is from pattern1 but box 2, I can’t see how that comes from pattern 1.

  101. Phil A says

    Wow! It seems like the hits keep coming, but I think I’m just late to the party. EP 582 didn’t just turn on a light bulb with its demonstration of the 1-4-5 up the neck. It blew the circuitry! The north south relationship of root notes moves through the boxes and you get the possibility of seeing the the fretboard as an inter-related whole. The great thing is it super charges your work ethic because it makes what seemed beyond reach, actually possible for us mere mortals.

    And now here comes EP 489, another mind blower, with the most comprehensible demonstration of; how to use the major and minor pentatonic to stick with the key of a tune using 8 of the 12 frets while staying on the top 4 strings. Because there is overlap involved from box to box, I had to draw a couple of side by side parallel fretboards, one major and one minor to make it clear, but well worth the effort at my level. If hearing another good on-line instructor say that the boxes just lit up as he moved up and down the neck turns you green with envy as it did me, I believe Brian’s teaching approach and methods make that a realistic goal. Obviously I’m a fan!

    v

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