Want to learn how to move across the fretboard in 3 seconds flat? Without getting lost along the way. Let me show you a Pentatonic scale extension. This way you can move up the guitar neck fast with ease and without getting lost.
Maybe you want to know how to move across the fretboard in 3 seconds flat. Well in this article I will show you how to move across the fretboard. With the use of the Pentatonic scale. in this article I will show you the first pattern of the Pentatonic scale and the scale extension. So you will be able to practice the extention and solo up and down the guitar neck with ease.
Let me start by not assuming you already know the Pentatonic Scale. I will cover the Pentatonic scale and then go further into how to extend it. This will make more sense to you. Rather than just showing you the extension. And you will be able to play all over the neck afterwards.
How to Move Across the Fretdboard With the use of the Pentatonic Scale
First we have the Pentatonic Scale. It is one of the oldest scales there is. And possibly one of the most powerful scales. The Pentatonic scale consists of just 5 notes. But with the use of these 5 notes you can play a lot of riffs.
There are 5 patterns of the Pentatonic Scale. But to make this easy to follow lets start with pattern one. We will start at the 5th fret of the 6th string. Which on your guitar is played like this pattern shown below. At the 5th fret is where the Am Pentatonic scale begins. Look how it is played shown below.
As you can see it starts on the 6th string and goes up to the first string. Yes, it shows the C Major Pentatonic. This is because it is the same notes that are used for the Am Pentatonic. Every note has a relative minor. But that is a different topic all together.
For the first pattern of the Am pentatonic scale start with your first finger on the 5th fret of the 6th string. Picking the note on the 5th fret. Then with your pinkie play the note on the 8th fret. Then move to 5th string.
Picking the notes at the 5th fret and 7th fret of the 5th string. On the 4th string you are going to also play frets 5 and 7. Next play the notes on frets 5 and 7 of the 3rd string. After that on strings 2 and 1, you want to play the notes on frets 5, and 8.
Practice the Pentatonic Scale How to Move Up and Down the Guitar Neck
If this is your first time learning the first pattern of the Pentatonic scale. You might want to grab your guitar, and practice it. Don’t forget to practice from the high E string back down to the low E string. And you are going backwards. From the 8th fret to the 5th and so on.
These are the notes In this scale you are playing. A C D E G. If the need help with learning the notes on the fretboard take a look at the Guitar Bootcamp. Where that is just one of the lessons covered.
When you practice this yes it’s great to learn the scale. But once you have memorized the scale practice some improvising. As long as you stay within those parameter’s you will be in the Key of Am and it will sound great.
A great way to practice is with a backing track, or I like to use a looper pedal. Take a look at what I say is the Best looper pedal for the Job. What makes it the best is it is easy to use and cheap.
Find Out the Secret: How to Move Across the Fretdboard
Okay now we know the first pattern of the Am Pentatonic, and you can see with just 5 notes you can play an unlimited amount of solo’s. But maybe you want to play in the same key but further on up the neck. In different positions of the neck.
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We are still going to start on the A note of the 6th string. Which will be at the 5th fret. This is where we start for the A minor Pentatonic if we are going up and down the strings. Like I showed you previously. But move back to the third fret. The G note.
Here is a video lesson from the YourGuitarGuide YouTube Channel. Maybe it will be easier for you to see what to play. But if you would rather read about it please continue on and there is more to come.
What you want to do is start on the 3rd fret of the 6th string. Pick the G note. Then using your third finger pick the note at the 5th fret. We want to use two fingers. This way you are not going to get mixed up and turned around on what is up next.
After that go to the 5th string. Play the notes of the 3rd and 5th frets. Once you pick the note at the 5th fret. Your fretting hand is fretting the 5th fret with your third finger. Slide to the 7th fret. The pattern so far is:
- 6th string frets 3 – 5
- 5th string frets 3-5, slide to 7.
Now you are in the middle of that Pentatonic Scale. Where you are going to work your way down. So on the 4th string you are going to play the notes on the 5th and then 7th fret. Then play frets 5 and 7 on the G string. Which is the 3rd string.
Related Article: How to Play Guitar in Different Positions on the Neck.
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From there you are going to slide up to the 9th fret. We are still using the first and third fingers. So your 3rd finger should be at the 9th fret. Now when you go to the 8th fret of the B string. Which is the second string. You will be temped to use your second finger. But resist the earge and use that first finger so you will stay on track, with the pattern.
Pick the note at the 8th fret of the B string; Second string. Then with your 3rd finger pick the note at the 10th fret. Still on the B string.
Move your first finger to the 8th fret of the E string. The 1st string. Pick that note. Then place your 3rd finger on the 10th fret of the 1st string. Play that note and slide to the 12th fret.
Here is the Tab for the Pentatonic Extension to help you while you practice this.
This may seem like a lot. But really it is easy once you get it. You will be able to move across the fretboard. The great thing about this is that it works in any key. Now we need to find our way back from the 12th fret. No worries look at the steps next.
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How to Move Across the Fretdboard from 12 to the 3rd fret
To make this a little easier I will tell you what frets to play. Starting on the first string. The high E string. Frets 12 and then 10. Slide from 10 to 8, still on the first string.
On the B string, the second string. Play the 10 and the 8 frets. Move to the G string. Which remember is the 3rd string. Play frets 9 – 7, and slide to 5.
Now we are at the 4th string. You are going to play frets 7 and 5. Then 7 and 5 on the 5th string. Slide to the 3rd fret on the 5th string. Ending with the 5th fret of the 6th string, and the 3rd fret of the 6th string.
Practice this extension forward and backwards until you can play an easy guitar solo.
Pentatonic Scale Across the Fretboard
The Am Pentatonic consists of 5 notes. And specific patterns to play the note up and down the strings. But if you want to play the pentatonic scale across the fretboard. You need to find those same notes. This is why knowing the Pentatonic extension comes in handy.
The Am Pentatonic consists of 5 notes. Which are A C D E G. The easiest way to know where these notes are across the fretboard is with a simple pattern. One that is what I would call a rule. Meaning knowing this single pattern you will automatically be playing in the pentatonic scale.
But with this single pattern you will be able to play the Pentatonic scale across the fretboard. Take a look at how the notes fall across the fretboard when playing the Am Pentatonic scale extension.
Notes of the Am Pentatonic Scale Across the Fretboard
- G, A, on 6 string
- C, D, on 5th string and slide to E
- G, A, on 4th string
- C, D on 3rd string, and slide to E
- G, A on the 2nd string
- C, D, on E string and slide to E
Everything would be a little clearer if you know how to find the notes on the fretboard. I have a course that covers that and more. Click to see what’s included in the course.
Pentatonic Runs Up the Neck
This is a perfect example how the Pentatonic runs up the neck. The great thing about the pattern is you can use it in any key. To see exactly what frets you need to play the pentatonic extension click this link to get the tab the Pentatonic extention, when you become a patron.
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Full Neck Guitar Scales PDF
If you want to see how to solo up and down the fingerboard then you are going to love this free PDF. 5 different scale patterns so that you will be able to cover the full neck of the guitar. Click this link to get the full neck guitar scales PDF.
How do You Move an Octave on a Guitar?
The Pentatonic extention is one way to find your way around the fretboard. Another way to move is by using octaves. An octave quoted from the onMusic Dictionary is: The frequency of a note one octave above another will have exactly twice as many Hertz frequency of the note an octave below it. Source
So to put it in laymen terms. The open E string when in tune has a tone which is a note. This note has the same name as the string. Which is the E string. So when you pick the E string without fretting the string. The tone is E.
An Octave above that E is another E tone which is at a higher pitch than that E. So an Octave above that open E string is at the 12th fret of the 6th string. Which is an E note an octave higher than the open E string.
This can be said of all the open strings. The next Octave is at the 12th fret
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Another Way to Move an Octave on a guitar
What you need is a form that consists of finding the root note on the 6th string. Then go two strings down and two frets across.
So for example if you were to start on the third fret of the sixth string. This is the G note. You would count down two strings. So now you are on the fourth string. And count across two frets. Which would put you at the next G note an octave higher.
Your first finger is on the G at the third fret. Your third finger is on the fifth fret of the fourth string. Which is an octave higher than the first G.
This pattern can be used to find any octave of a note. Let’s try another one. Just to make sure your with me. Place your first finger on the fifth fret of the sixth string. Which is an A note. To find the f octave of that note. Using this form, count down two strings. Then two frets up. Which places your third finger on the 7th fret of the fourth string.
Another octave which is two octaves. Is the notes on the sixth string, and the notes on the high E string. So what ever you play on the sixth string. The High E has the same notes two octaves above.
You can use the same form as previously mentioned on the 5th string to find the octave of the notes on the 5th string. To do this you will need to learn the notes on the fretboard. Take a look at my beginners guitar bootcamp it will benefit you with learning the notes and much more. Take a look at whats included.
I hope this has helped you with your guitar journey. If so check out the Blues Composition.