Use your pinky. Learn the three patterns that'll set you on the road to stardom, on top of the minor pent, or 10 yrs from now you'll be wishing you did.

|----5--7--8


|----5--6--8


|----5--7--9


Play these in every combination you can think of. You may have to play with your guitar a little higher than what you're used to to be able to get your fingers there.

That's my solo advice of the year.

ie:

|--------------------------------------------------------5-7-8
|---------------------------------------------5-7-8
|---------------------------------5-7-8
|----------------------5-7-8
|-----------5-7-8
|5-7-8

and back down and in reverse order and whatnot. Two kinds of players - pent and minor - but if you can score both you're in the clear.