The following lick has the symbol 8va above the music. This means it is played an octave higher than written. This symbol is often used for very high notes, as it makes them easier to read. When the notation returns to its normal pitch, the word loco is written above the music.
The following licks move freely between all of the five forms, often employing slides to move from one to the next. Many of these licks work over different parts of a 12 bar Blues progression. They are all derived from the A minor pentatonic scale, so you can see how the forms all join up in the one key. As with previous licks, when you have learnt each one, try transposing it to several other keys. You should also experiment with the ideas presented here to come up with your own licks. The first one moves between the E and D forms and works over the first two bars of a 12 bar blues progression.
This one moves between the D, C and A forms and works over bars 3 to 6 of the 12 bar progression.
This one moves between the A and G forms and works over bars 7 and 8 of the 12 bar progression. It could also be used over the first and second, or third and fourth bars of the progression.
This one moves between the G form and the E form and works over bars 9 to 12 of the 12 bar progression.
The previous four can be played in succession to form a 12 bar Blues solo. Listen to example 59 on the CD to hear the complete solo.
Here is a solo in the key of B minor which moves between the different forms of the minor pentatonic scale. You can slide or bend from any note of the scale to any other note of the scale to get from one form to the next. As well as this, you can use a rest to move to a totally different place on the fretboard if you wish to. Learn this solo and then experiment with moving around between the forms as you improvise.
A great way to test your knowledge of all five scale forms is to improvise using only one string. When you do this, you are constantly moving between the forms. It is easier to do if you learn the scale along each string first. Here is a Blues solo which is played entirely on the second string.