This one paired with my last video (the 6th string root one) will give you access to the whole neck, only using two scale positions… hence why I call it the “Super Scale” (cheesy name, but it’s true!). Sometimes learning all the scale positions just isn’t in the cards… plus you might (probably) won’t solo in all 5 scale positions. This is to simplify each scale by giving you the stuff most commonly used!
First we establish an “anchor fret”. This “anchor fret” is the fret where each string has a note on the same fret. The 5th string isn’t exactly EVERY string (stupid 2nd string), but it is where are first finger lies! We want to give this a neutral name because it’s the same regardless of whether it’s a minor or major pentatonic scale we’re doing this with.
So we have our major root (pinky), minor root (index) and now our anchor fret (index). We put our 3rd finger on the anchor fret and go: 1-3 1-3 Slide. Then go to the next string and 1-3 1-3 Slide (watch out for that darn second string… the “bugaboo”). We will end on a 1-3 and not a slide, just by the nature of the scale and guitar itself.
When I say 1-3, I do mean BEFORE our anchor fret, so be sure to watch for that.
To reverse, just say the same thing in reverse! Slide – 3-1 3-1. Just watch out for that darn 2nd string.
Now how do we connect it all across the neck? Where the last slide ends on one position, it leads us off at the next (regardless if it’s a 5th or 6th root) anchor fret! Move on up to the next anchor fret and start 1-3 1-3 sliding away! It takes a little bit to get used to, but it’s easier than learning all the scale positions. If you want to fill out the scale positions later, you can… now you just have a little work done already for it. Dig!
-Related Lessons-
0:21 – Pentatonic “Super Scale” | 1-3 1-3 Slide | 6th String Root
0:58 – Minor Pentatonic Scales | CO 6/10
1:00 – Major Pentatonic Scales | CO 5/10
2:26 – Slides
PDF’s
1-3 1-3 Slide Scale | 5th Root Tab, 1-3 1-3 Slide Scale Fretboard PDF, CAGED Pentatonic Scale Shapes
