The Extended Pentatonic Scale Pattern

The reason I had the patterns laid out as I did was because of the extended pattern most people seem to learn first.

The light grey circles are attached to the so-called "root position" pattern on the 5th fret (dark grey circles).

The extended patterns need hand (position) shifts to cover 2 extra patterns either side of the "root position" pattern.

This pattern is for A Minor which relates to C major. No sharps or flats.

Extended Box H 2-String Shape

Also note that the red box shapes are all exactly the same.

That's because they are the same notes, of course.

And each of these shapes contain the 5 notes of the A minor pentatonic scale starting on G... G A C D E

Try mapping out some of your own "shapes" and find where they map out over the entire fretboard.

Click here to download "blank" fretboard grids

For example, try the rectangle shape to help you understand how the pentatonic scale really works on the guitar fretboard.

NEXT: Pentatonic Scale Ideas