In this lesson we're going to be learning Pattern 5 of the Minor Pentatonic. As with previous patterns the fingering can change a lot depending on the phrase you're playing.

Scale Diagrams

This fingering is only suggested for
playing the scale up and down,
for playing licks you'll use many
different fingerings.

Again, remember that the Blue Note
is not often best played in a scale up
and down, but added as a spice when
you want that flavour ;)

Homework and Practice

Your aim this week is to memorize Pattern 5 and be sure you know where the root notes are and where the blue notes are located. I would recommend two 5 minutes practice sessions a day.

Session 1 - 5 Minutes
Play the scale up and down, pausing on the root notes (or at least registering where they are) and exploring different fingering options. Playing it up and down with one finger will also help create the shape in your mind.

Session 2 - 5 Minutes
The second 5 minutes should be improvising over a backing back track and exploring the scale, you hopefully know that the words are the key to making music out of your scales but just exploring on your own can be very helpful too. It's likely that you will stumble on a few words just messing around. Do remember what notes are good to bend (and how far) and see how they feel!

Additional Resources

Recommended Album
Remember that listening to great Blues is an essential part of the course, so try and check out all my recommended albums, they're the best of the best!

Lightnin Hopkins - Best Of

Love Lightnin Hopkins, he mostly does the awesome solo guitar things mixing up the lead and rhythm and you gotta watch the mini doco about him (The Blues According To Lightnin Hopkins), it's awesome! And this collection is a good one to get into his music.

Buy at Amazon.co.uk • Buy at Amazon.com •