how to find pentatonic scale shapes on fretboard


umutkarababa58
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Joined: 11/30/17
Posts: 7
umutkarababa58
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Joined: 11/30/17
Posts: 7
12/22/2017 5:28 pm

Hi. I learned 5 shapes of pentatonic scale but I can only move from 1 to 2,2 to 3 and so on. For example I cannot move from shape 1 to 4. How can I learn to that, is there a simple trick?


# 1
jarkko.eklund
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Joined: 09/25/13
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jarkko.eklund
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Joined: 09/25/13
Posts: 212
12/22/2017 5:48 pm

Learn where the root note(s) lands on each shape. Then you know where to position your hand when changing from one shape to another. You can also practice to play the shapes in mixed order, instead of going through them linearly.

Christopher Schlegel has many good lessons on pentatonic shapes[br]https://www.guitartricks.com/instructor.php?input=155014


# 2
umutkarababa58
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Joined: 11/30/17
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umutkarababa58
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Joined: 11/30/17
Posts: 7
12/22/2017 5:56 pm

Thank you for your reply.


# 3
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
12/23/2017 3:49 pm
Originally Posted by: umutkarababa58

I learned 5 shapes of pentatonic scale but I can only move from 1 to 2,2 to 3 and so on. For example I cannot move from shape 1 to 4. How can I learn to that, is there a simple trick?

First, thanks to Jarkko for replying! You always provide a fast & accurate reply. :)[br][br]The trick is to learn & practice playing the shapes (I call them boxes or frameworks) so that when you need them you'll have them at your fingertips.

It helps to know the scale degrees. So, for example if you are playing the minor pentatonic:

1st box starts on the 1st scale degree

2nd box starts 3 frets up on the minor 3rd

3rd box starts 2 frets up on the 4th

4th box starts 2 frets up on the 5th

5th box starts 3 frets up on the minor 7th

I cover all this in detail in this tutorial.

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=296

And you can practice playing the major & minor pentatonic scales boxes across the fretboard in these tutorials.

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=722

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=185

Hope this helps! Please more if necessary & best of success playing pentatonics!


Christopher Schlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor

Christopher Schlegel Lesson Directory
# 4
umutkarababa58
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Joined: 11/30/17
Posts: 7
umutkarababa58
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Joined: 11/30/17
Posts: 7
12/23/2017 5:31 pm

Thank you for your help. I tried the first advice about root notes and it works for me like a charm.


# 5

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