More Scale Patterns
The licks so far were played within the first five frets. This lesson will introduce several scale patterns located in higher positions on the fretboard. These patterns can be used to create licks in the same way the open position patterns were used.
The first extra patterns to learn are the A Minor Pentatonic scale and the A Blues scale played in the fifth position (frets 5 – 8).
A Minor Pentatonic Scale (fifth position)
A Blues Scale (fifth position)
The following examples make use of the previous patterns.
Additional Notes
The adjacent diagram highlights some additional notes which are often used within the Minor Pentatonic and Blues patterns, position 5. These notes are taken from the Major scale.
This example makes use of the additional notes.
Seventh Position – Key of A
Another useful pattern for the key of A is located between the 7th and 11th frets. The adjacent diagram highlights the Minor Pentatonic pattern. The extra note to complete the Blues scale has also been included in the diagram, along with some additional notes.
This example is played within the seventh position, key of A.
The Complete Pattern Key of A
It is now possible to review all three positions introduced in this book for the Minor Pentatonic and Blues scales. The following diagram highlights the Minor Pentatonic notes (black), the extra note to complete the Blues scale (shaded) and the common additional notes found within the patterns.
The following example shows how the complete pattern and can be used to produce a simple, yet great sounding fingerpicking Blues lick. Bass line techniques are also featured.
More Scale Patterns – Key of E
It will also be useful to become familiar with the extended scale patterns in the key of E. The two common extended scale patterns in the key of E are based around the fourth position (frets 4 – 8) and the seventh position (frets 7 – 11).
The Minor Pentatonic scale is highlighted next with the extra note to form the Blues scale highlighted as a shaded dot. The plain dots are additional notes.
Fourth Position – Key of E
Seventh Position – Key of E
The next example uses both of the previous patterns.
The Complete Pattern Key of E
The adjacent diagram highlights the three scale positions so far studied in the key of E.
Ensure you become familiar with this complete pattern and try to create some fingerpicking licks of your own using this pattern.
