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Five Shapes of Pentatonic; one signature lick for each position! (Patreon)

Published:
2025-07-12 13:00:16
Edited:
2025-07-12 15:03:32
Imported:
2026-08
Tags:

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Content

There are five minor pentatonic scale shapes that cover the entire fretboard, many players know this but they aren't really sure exactly WHAT to do with that information, or how to make these shapes really stick and become part of their muscle memory. I believe the way to really get to know these shapes, is to come up with a killer, dirty blues lick for each position.. a lick that plays to the strengths of that particular shape. As soon as you start making music with a scale, it takes it from theoretical knowledge, to actual practical and applicable vocabulary.

We also go over easy ways to think about how the shapes are mapped out, as well as exactly what the difference is between minor pentatonic and the "blues scale".

The lesson materials for this one will include the usual tab and notation in guitar pro and PDF formats for the licks themselves, PLUS all five A minor pentatonic and blues scale shapes! The drum track will also be included, as will an audio file of my opening performance. For those of you with the full version of Guitar Pro, I've also embedded the audio file within so you don't have to put up with the awful midi sounds ;)

Update; I've also just added a TAB of the A minor groove I put down on the looper, to the downloads section..

Files

Five Pentatonic Shapes; a signature blues lick for each scale position! Fretboard fluency 🔥

Access all lesson materials by becoming a Patreon at the link below for just a small monthly fee!.. https://patreon.com/AlexFarranGuitar If Patreon isn’t your bag, you can purchase the materials for this lesson alone, directly at the link below; https://smogfalls.gumroad.com/l/xpkorh Book in for a private Zoom lesson to level up your playing, or find new inspiration!.. just choose a slot at the link below; https://tidycal.com/alexfarranguitar/guitarlesson There are five minor pentatonic scale shapes that cover the entire fretboard, many players know this but they aren't really sure exactly WHAT to do with that information, or how to make these shapes really stick and become part of their muscle memory. I believe the way to really get to know these shapes, is to come up with a killer, dirty blues lick for each position.. a lick that plays to the strengths of that particular shape. As soon as you start making music with a scale, it takes it from theoretical knowledge, to actual practical and applicable vocabulary. We also go over easy ways to think about how the shapes are mapped out, as well as exactly what the difference is between minor pentatonic and the "blues scale". The lesson materials for this one will include the usual tab and notation in guitar pro and PDF formats for the licks themselves, PLUS all five A minor pentatonic and blues scale shapes! The drum track will also be included, as will an audio file of my opening performance. For those of you with the full version of Guitar Pro, I've also embedded the audio file within so you don't have to put up with the awful midi sounds ;) ⏱️TIMESTAMPS⏱️ 00:00 - Performance 01:06 - Introduction 01:17 - Easy way to find the five shapes 02:00 - Lesson Materials 02:18 - Pentatonic vs Blues scale 03:03 - Lick no.1 06:02 - Make the rhythm pulse! 06:35 - Looper play-through 07:02 - Lick no.2 08:52 - Looper play-through 09:09- Lick no.3 11:44 - Shape 4 12:10 - Lesson materials 12:39 - Lick no.4 14:48 - Shape 5 16:00 - Lick no.5 16:36 - Lick transposition 18:15 - All Five licks with Looper 19:08 - Practice ideas 20:32 - Tone Talk! 21:36 - Sign-off! Related videos to check out.. Swampy Dirty Blues Riffs... https://youtu.be/YVL1rHvEMs0?si=pRT9S4iQVb1GVYSA Swampy Juke-Joint Blues Soloing!.. https://youtu.be/sS3K1VXuthA?si=jP9s45E_pXYwggVY Dirty Open position minor blues chords & riffs.. https://youtu.be/cgVsPxzhzLU?si=ljTjv2j0UOd-fKf8 -------------------- Sunbear "Farran Five" tele pickups; https://www.sunbearpickups.com/telecaster-pickups/lava1d28qt9czpmsd7mhh7atkh09nf?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabZQ9xFvlQdXvHLVgD10yhTA1C3Ob-NvJBdfgj77agYFSTtyHL3onjCWT4_aem_SxdVxGs7Ys1K8tL2qrq6tg -------------------- Gear used in this video; Nachocaster Tele #5485 1964 Fender Bassman amp Vemuram Shanks ODS-1 overdrive pedal Stringjoy Broadway 10-46 strings Dunlop H3 pick Universal Audio OX - amp top box Universal Audio Apollo x8p & Twin X Logic Pro Universal Audio plugins Sony ZVE-10 camera Neewer Desktop Tripod Final Cut Pro Thanks for watching! Alex :) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexfarranguitar/ Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/alexfarran #guitarlesson #pentatonicscale #pentatonic #electricguitar #guitarsolo #blues #guitar #guitarist #guitarplayer #bluesscale #guitarra #guitartutorial #guitarlicks #leadguitar #telecaster #nachocaster #rockguitar

Comments

David Lemon

Oh heck yes - need this!! Can’t wait.

James McNamara

Great video. Love the jazz idea for the next video

Johan

When you catch yourself thinking, “How does XXXX make something so ‘simple’ so good”? This is how. You dedicate time to practicing the basics.

Alex Farran Guitar

That's it Johan, it's amazing how many students have come to me over the years saying how bored they are with the pentatonic! The scale is never the problem!

Johan

I would not mind delving into bluegrass or country licks. I feel like a touch of that in your playing really rounds you out.

jmillerc2

👍🏻👍🏻

Alex Farran Guitar

Totally Johan, many more country and bluegrass lessons coming very soon!

Marinho Del Santo

This is undoubtedly one of the most useful lessons you have presented! THANK YOU!

Alex Farran Guitar

I've also just added a TAB of the A minor groove I put down on the looper, to the downloads section above.

Brian

Great lesson! Thanks Alex.

MarkF

Great lesson thanks!

Sean

Wow, what a fantastic lesson! Dirty, funky, and informative!

Rupert Hawkes

Hi slightly off topic but have you done a HENDRIX ‘unlocked’ lesson? Like a dedicated one to all the melodic ‘tools’ he used. Sorry if I’ve missed it or this isn’t the right place to ask. For example 13:58 in your plagal soul vid is GOLD! That one lesson is soooooo good, it’s been a couple,of months but only 50% through. Amazing 😻

Joseph Corso

As always another perfect lesson thanks AF ….

Carlos Funk

Just another wonderful lesson. Do we need more words in the English language, or as in the pentatonic, do we just need to know their real meanings, and how to use them correctly. Maybe your middle name should be Guitar, more like Alex "Guitar" Farran. I don't know of anybody I've ever seen that could deserve that more. Your diversity on those six strings is just astonishing.

Rob Bright

Brilliant ideas and explanations. Excellent playing as always.

Nicholas Golden

Fantastic lesson, thank you as always <3

Alex Farran Guitar

Wow, thank you Carlos, that’s incredibly kind of you to say! Really means a lot my friend. 🙏🏻🧡

Alex Farran Guitar

Nice idea Rupert! I have bits and bobs scattered around in a few lessons.. the “Change is Gonna Come” Motown chords one being another good example, but I will have to do a video bringing them all together in one place for sure 👍🏻

John Olenski

Spot on. Lovin' that blue note. I'll spend some time on this one.

Gert De Groof

I always wonder about your fingering Alex. Take for example the lick over shape #3. That second G note (3th string 12th fret) you finger that with your second finger, which is necessary to play the next note, the C bending up. How do you incorporate something like that in an improvisation? I would instinctively use my third finger on that G, rendering me almost unable to hit that C, bending up, for I would have to use my pinky, which is hard. So my question is I guess: how do you approach improvisation, is it more like knowing a bunch of licks (with the appropriate fingering) and using them as vocabulary?

Alex Farran Guitar

That’s a good question mate! I think it’s a combination of things.. one is that if you find that you often need to bend that next note with the third finger, going for the previous note with the second finger starts to become part of your muscle memory and you’ll naturally start to opt for that fingering more often. Also, sometimes the next note you play might even be determined by the finger you’ve just landed on. For example, if I’d landed on my pinky for instance, I’m sure the next note might have been a different choice. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow if you get what I mean? 👌🏻😎

Ron Culbertson

Another great lesson Alex I can’t remember how I found you but I’m always thankful that I did. Your lessons are difficult but not impossible. I must tell you I finally memorized Hungarian if I didn’t mention it I’ll never play it up to speed, but I enjoy playing it in kind of aslow swing. Thanks again.

Keith

Thanks for another great lesson!

GerryOL

Alex any chance you could add a backing track with your A minor groove

Gert De Groof

Thanks for the reply. Getting it into the muscle memory is key I guess, so I just have to deliberately start to incorporate it into my playing…makes sense 👌 I do like the go with the flow part, but to step out of habits, I assume some deliberate direction is needed.

David C

Alex, Your talent for teaching, the ability to put ideas and concepts into words and demonstrations, the amount of relevant information you put into every lesson, including tips and tricks and your understanding of the instrument are all top shelf. All those things together with the subjects you choose to discuss, the format of your lessons, the beautiful instruments you play and even your demeanor make your lessons the best. Thank you for providing such high quality lessons.

Alex Farran Guitar

Hi Gerry, I’m away at the moment but will certainly sort that for you asap. Hopefully Friday 👍🏻

Alex Farran Guitar

That’s awesome Ron, I’m so glad you enjoy my lessons! Thank you for your enthusiasm!

Alex Farran Guitar

Wow thank you David, that’s so kind of you buddy. You totally made my day! I’m so glad you enjoy my lessons so much! 🙏🏻🧡

Alex Farran Guitar

Yes indeed, you’re exactly right. It’s all about getting that balance in your practice so it comes out in your playing. Almost like practiced spontaneity as well as pure random chaos.. a good 50/50 mix 😉

J.J.

Your lessons are outstanding. an obvious truth. Many thanks from the southern USA

Michael Sosebee

Hey Amigo - Spot on lesson! I am going to make these licks part of my repoitoire. I see it as a great warm up exercise.

John Rose

Is there a particular lesson of yours that reviews proper techniques for vibrato?

Kevin Murphy

Hey Alex, I am not able to access the tab for the licks. Only the tab for Am scale in different positions. Please advise. Thanks, Kevin

Alex Farran Guitar

Hi Kevin, do make sure that you’re fully downloading and opening the zip file as opposed to simply “previewing” it. You should find a handful of different files are contained within 👍🏻