We so often get hung up on patterns (like boxes 1 and 2) that are based around 1st or 6th string roots…
But there is SO much great music to be found when you move to the largely ignored box 4 region where the root falls on the 5th string.
And it’s not that you have to find new licks there… you just have to find the old ones in a new position.
Check it out:
91 replies to "Shift Your Licks To Box 4"
Box 4 contains the scales associated with the C-Shapeed (Major) and Am -shaped (the relative minor of C) chords to be found in CAGED Unleashed, one of Griffs courses.
There are five chord shapes, and each corresponds to a Major and minor scale pattern, which means when you know the names of the notes, or its intervalic number (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc), you can then play any lick you want anywhere on the fretboard.
To practice, start with the C-shaped chord (in open position) and play the five pentatonic, or 6 Blues Scale, or the seven note Major scale in that position. Do the same with the Am shape (they are the same notes, but have a different starting and ending point-the root for the major is C, and the Am is A, not to be too repetative.
The CAGED system is a whole lot more than just a method of linking the boxes together. It is THE key to unlocking everything and their relationships. Chords, arpeggios, scales, triads, modes, literally everything about how the instrument works can be fund in CAGED.
It will take a while to sink in, but once you get it, you REALLY get it. I have been a client of Griff for more than 10 years, and it was taking the CAGED UNLEASHED course and then practicing the CAGED exercises in tandem with the pentatonic scales and a couple of the other courses that the light began to dawn on how it all fits together.
Not just for blues, but for all types of guitar based musical expressions: for harmonizing chords up and down the fretboard, for finding those little chords-tiads and dyads, well, everything.
There is a tremendous amount of knowledge contained in Griff’s courses, a lot of which I think Griff deliberately lets you find out on your own, although he hints a lot.
Silly me. I orient Box 1 from the 4th string root and Box 4 from the 3rd string.
One way I have fun with this is to play a shortish lick in box one, the question. Then answer it in box 4.
As I go I ask a slightly longer question and again answer it in box 4. Which can be a longer answer or a short answer, as it can the other way around.
Then you play a little faster as you go and you have your very own one man guitar war….
It’s also good for just improving, you don’t have too much time to think of the next question or its answer. As you get better at it.
I’d recommend recording it though because years ago I played a really cool lick but then could not remember how the hell I’d played it..
You can of course start as Griff did and just repeat the lick until you get used to it.
It’s also good for sliding back and forth and hitting the correct fret on the correct string.
You can try in different keys as Griff does which helps to see where the next scale is in relation to where you start from.
And with different combinations of boxes.
All good fun, which is what it’s supposed to be.
PS: while I was busy pointing out The “Blues” scale vs “Pentatonic” etc. I totally forgot to heap much praise upon you for the brilliant “AHA!” moment in pointing out that “Box 4” is the same as “Box 1” but begins with the root on the 5th string and a slide on the “B” string!!
That’s a gigantically huge learning and you’re the only instructor I’ve ever seen or heard of that teaches it that way! Did someone teach that to you or was that your own discovery?
Thank you for that tip! I cannot wait to grab my guitar and use it!
Much Praise On You Sir!!!!
The scale interval patterns can be applied anywhere on the neck.
True for “right-facing” patterns from a root on any string.
There will also be a “left-facing” pattern from each of those roots.
Forgive my “Obtuseness” yes that is a word because it auto populated on my iPhone!! LOL!
But, isn’t it the “Blues” scale that you’re demonstrating as opposed to the straight “Box 1” of the “Pentatonic” scale?
Don’t mean to be picky but there is a difference and some of us who aren’t as well versed in the two scales might get confused.
Thanks for your forbearance!
Killer lesson Griff!! Still it’s easy enough that even I can understand it! Thanks
Griff, in box 4 I have been using the Eb on the top E string on the 11th fret. Would you recommend that I switch to the way you play that note in box 4 i.e. on the 16th fret of the 2nd string? Is it just a matter of preference or do you think that there are more licks in this box that are technically easier with the top Eb on the 2nd string? It doesn’t seem to slow me down playing it on the top string for the stuff I do at the moment. .
Do you have class for monthly payments?
I would like to learn blues guitar unleashed 2.0
You can buy full access to all his videos on a monthly basis I believe.
Great stuff Griff. U da man
Apropos of nothing to do with this excellent reminder – I have become more and more aware of the importance of one of Griff’s mantras i.e counting out aloud to keep in time and rhythm. Every time I practice (far too infrequently) I realise the importance of this message. Thank you Griff for keeping on stressing this point.
Hi Griff, great video as always.
First off it is great to use all the boxes there is some great licks in all of them.
Plus every box lends its self to the 1-4-5 chord progression ,you just need to target the notes for the chord as it changes.
Plus we don’t play blues in a key,we play a blues in A or G because to play in a key you can not have all major chords or all 7 th chords and you need more than three chords ,Griff as a video about this he explains it all.
Cheers griff
Griff…it seems to me that certain boxes lend themselves to moving thru the I, IV,V progression. If you are in the key of G then you move to the IV you find yourself hanging out at the IV chord AND box 3…the when the V rolls around…box 4 is right there waiting for you! …and box 5 is just above with a convenient little 2 string box to play on the 13th and 15th frets of the high E and B strings.
Yes, again, we’ve got to stretch our minds a little, right?
I often play along with Griff’s Ultimate Blues Jams, and with each verse I solo in a different box, a great way to familiarize yourself with each box
Good teaching griff
Thanks again for opening up more of the fret board to me. Pushing me along to the next step. Often can get stuck in that new,thing I’ve learned and not continue to explore more on my own.
Griff,
Besides being an aspiring guitare god LOL, I happen to be well-versed in many areas, such as soccer. Being a coach who specialized in player development, the greatest quality in a teacher is his ability to make the seemingly difficult simple and easy. I am convinced that if you were teaching nuclear physics or any other scientific subject you probably would turn a lot of students into GENIUSES. Geat stuff as usual. I have a folder labeled ALL THINGS GRIFF where I store all your teachings. Thanks for being YOU.
This darn scale and those darn boxes alone could be a lifetime quest on guitar…and I’d still never be able to play a song! Thanks for another great “tip.” (Box 4=Box 1, one string down!)
Griff – once again, fab lesson. But a bit fast for me! How about a CD or downloadable leaflet with ALL the “boxes” tabbed out? I’d buy it!
The course is called Pentatonic Scales & Technique Mastery (PS&TM)…I think it’s one of Griff’s more popular courses
Here are the maps for tabs:
https://www.google.com/search?q=pentatonic+patterns+mapped+out&safe=active&rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS788US788&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjzptHkrejaAhXR5J8KHeuGBBsQsAQIKA&biw=1350&bih=635
Pretty cool Griff. Got it saved for later reference.
This video is cool i like it
Jim h thanks griff for the daily wake up it ingauges the brain and wakes up the fingers you are one great teacher
What a great insight for me! Here is where knowing those note names really hielps me to move around the neck to do those licks all over the fretboard! Thanks for all your help Griff- you make a huge difference in my playing!
PS: lately I’ve been doing a bit more of this kind of thing (trying to find the same lick on other areas of the fretboard just to try and increase my comfort level regarding playing from one area of the neck to another.
I want to be able to play the same lick in all five different boxes without necessarily having to play them in sequence, I.e. Box 1, then two, then 3 etc.
Does that makes sense?
Thanks,
Walt
That makes perfect sense Walt and is a great, great practice routine.
Is this particular lesson taken from one of your video lesson series, I.e. “Blues Guitar Unleashed”?
Yeah nice one thanks
Hey Griff,
Great refresher, from last year as I have already given my comments here. In fact I often practice with Blues Box 4 and this would be a great lesson. Maybe you could advise us all which of your courses address the Licks in other Blues Boxes other than the traditionals Box 1 & 2.
Michael-St Andrews-Australia
I like the lesson
Gets me thinking about the b string more
I have noticed in bands with 2 guitarist
One lead ends and the other guys lead
Might sound deeper ? Griff are they playing in a major feel or maybe while the first lead was in the minor blues ? Or a relative major of the key they were playing in ?
From steve
I like it when two guitarists are playing the same lick at the same time but in different boxes. The harmonies sound great. Freebird is a great example although the licks aren’t exactly the same. It just sounds fab.
Thanks Griff,you make it look so easy.Love you lesson. Len.
Very very much fun. Lots of fun just in an hour playing around with that. Thks
Hey Griff; The lesson this time might have made more sense, if, the sound & the video were sinced ! Maybe just a bad signal ! Will try it again tomorrow ! Thanks, at least I tryed to catch it !
Hi Drake – post an answer if you find out how to fix it! It’s been doing this to me for a long time.
Try downloading it and play it from the computer. Should help
Mike
Stuff I’m working on and you send out a video about it, you have spies working for you or something! Hey thanks Griff, your a great teacher
Great Lesson as always. When I YouTube Gary Moore, he was an absolute Master at mixing the boxes, gaining embellishments with double stops, and stretching to the root. I thought of him as soon as you said “I’m in AMinor or CMajor which are both one n the same…” He demonstrated that perfectly in Still Got the Blues for You…all AMinor and CMajor. Later on Bro!
Oh Wow! Box 4 is the Parallel Universe of Box 1.
FAN-tastic! Thank you, Griff!
Did the video lesson with you on the computer, then put a practice-tracks CD my wife gave me on the stereo. Played with it once, and the second time through began laughing outloud because I couldn’t believe what I was hearing was me. Holy Toledo. But it was just me and the dog today, and she was asleep, so it HAD to be me!
Griff, you’re the greatest! After Miss Wilbur in 10th grade Latin way back there in ’67, you’re my favorite teacher.
Hi Griff! Just a not to say thanks for your heart and desire for teaching the guitar. I have learned much from you. I look forward to your emails. Always something good!
Thanks again!
Nice lesson, bluesy like I perfured
Very good lesson and something I work on everyday. I love progressive solos meaning solos that progress all the way down the fret board into a crescendo close, or the other way around a crescendo into a slow ending around the bass note areas. Your lessons the other day on the four note pattern was outstanding and I bet there would have been a 1000 comments to that lesson. As for Howlin’ Wolf I hope one day you will get into that great riff from “Smokestack Lightning”. Thank you as always for these cool lessons.
It’s enjoyable to play up there. Les of a stretch for once :-))
Just to let you know, it is good to see and hear you play the scales and etc.
Thanks
As Linda says tabs would be helpful as I’m recovering from 4 heart attacks and surgery and I need to keep myself occupied and vary my playing style as I also suffer from Arthritis in my hands so over the years I’ve had to find easier abbreviated chords to obtain the sound for my lyrics as before all this I did 280 gigs over 4 years – your help would greatly be appreciated. Many thanks.
Weer een zeer goede videoles
dank u wel
Freddy
Hi Griff
A great video. (Again)
You could almost title it “thinking outside the box”!
I’m probably your worst online student but an hour jamming the blues with my son in law in the garage last night was worth more than I can say.
Thanks for all you do.
Great lesson!
Trust me, your not his worst student!
I could probably claim that title easily!
Best wishes,
Walt
Another thing people shouldn’t ignore is how easy it is to drop down from Box 1 to Box 5 (at least if you are playing in G or above (G involves some open strings for Box 5 from the 3d fret, but above that is it the usual fretting).
Griff, how about the tab for some of this, particularly the 1st half of the video. thanks.
cheers Griff
for the lesson the course on pentatonic scales & technique mastery
that i purchased off you opened the neck up for me
Hey Griff,
Great lesson, it would be good to show the Tab for the lick in case new guitarists or learners have yet to purchase your Pentatonic Scales & Technique Mastery where the method of the 5 Box Patterns are CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED and how to use them in Licks. Get each of these down pat at 60 BPS and you can easily inter mingle your licks with effect.
Michael -St Andrews Australia
I’m surprised more time isn’t spent on box 5. It’s the simplest of shapes and fits easily below box 1 giving a wonderful bassy lead in above box 4 for some great (and simple) (screaming) highs and bends.
At least that’s what I’ve found…
Griff, where do I get your lessons with ALL the box scales listed.
Thanks,
Earl
Just ‘google’ pentatonic boxes (images). You’ll get a thousand charts showing all five boxes.
Hi Griff,
Really a great lesson! I have to go over and over it still but the idea is great…thanks.
Box 4 has been my favorite place for some time. I haven’t really tried moving licks from Box 1 to Box 4, but actually the other way around.
I don’t know how anyone can learn guitar without memorizing the pentatonic minor patterns in all five positions. Learn box 1 perfectly then add the next ones at your own speed. It took me three years!
Thanks Griff, for a really useful lesson. The image and sound quality are also excellent and perfectly in synch. Have you changed the technology? Keep up the good work!
Very best wishes, Andy (In the U.K.)
Hi Griff, I love your lessons but I have really good question.
My finger nails prevents me from actually making contact with
the strings in between frets what should I do to solve this
problem. I tried cutting them but if I cut them too short they
hurt and I’m not used to this any suggestion please respond as
soon as you can it would surely help? Thanks my man
Your Student,
Luther
I had the same problem. I clip my nails just above the flesh, then use a file to work them down a bit more. Then it just comes down to working through the discomfort until the sensitivity wears off. Your fingertips will thicken up a little and the pain will go away. Keep practicing every day, even if you’re just running scales. Give it a couple of weeks.
Excellent lesson once again Griff. Thanks.
Great lesson – I agree tabs would be very helpful
I like this lesson a lot, and never really thought of that lick.
On a sad note I see that B B King is with hospice now, and that damn diabetes is most of the cause.
asome video griff ty
The old joke comes to mind… You and BB King move your fingers up down all around the fretboard cause y’all seaching for it but me and guitarzan hold ’em in one place cause we flat got it.
Griff, you always go above and beyond. We love you brother!
THE ONLY 2 BOX’S I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN. GOOD EXSAMPLE GRIFF FOR A SONG THAT HAS A SMI SLOW BLUES AND THEN KICKS INTO HIGH GEAR. I LIKE WORKING THE BOTTOM OF THE FRET BOARD WITH BOX 1 AND WILL SLIP IN A BIT OF THE DORIAN SCALE NOTE. THEN IN HIGH GEAR I’LL MOVE UP TO THE 15TH FRET AND WORK THE BOX 4. TO ME ITS NOT A MECHANICAL THING TO DO, IT JUST HAPPENS TO TURN OUT THAT WAY WHEN I PLAY. LOVE THE SOUND OF THE STRINGS AT THE TOP OF THE FRET BOARD AT THE 15TH FRET. SOUNDS LIKE REAL BLUES.
Good example of working/learning Boxes 1 to 4 is the extended solo at the end of Running Down a Dream x Tom Petty that is usually played over a repetitive rhythm of C, D and E small-chord shapes (open 6, 2, 1 string drones) using the pentatonic scale in the 4th box of the Key of E, starting with slow full-tone bends. Work the pentatonic scale in Box 4 with a range of slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs and sustained bends and vibrato notes for several measures before you drop down to Box 1 and work your way up the neck through Boxes 2 to 4 taking advantage of open 1 & 2nd strings. It’s a “Driving” rhythm – monotonous, repetitive and predictable – easy to count, loop or back-up by your Band that really engages a dancing audience when you drop your 18-wheeler solo into Low gear of Box 1 and climb back up the switch-back mountain with them to Box 4 to end the solo.
Great lesson Griff been using box 4 in the keys of E and D but really like your key of Am example in the 2nd octave and how you tie the boxes together for a nice flow ! Hey Bob check out the Musicians Friend wed sight they have great deals lots of video demos to help you narrow down your search for the right electric for you not to mention great prices and customer service good luck hope this helps !!!
This may seem crazy, but the light bulb just went on. I’ve been working hard on box 1,3, and 5. I just learned the fingering. What I didn’t think about was it’s actually the same notes but on different parts of the fretboard. Douh! Funny how one video can open one’s mind. Thanks
Hopefully the lightbulb is an LED or a CFL. More energy efficient that way!
Fantastic exposition Griff. It ties things up so well, and opens up the neck in a simple, intuitive way.
Griff, how about the tab for some of these licks? I find including the tab is what makes your stuff so much better than others. Thanks, JIm R.
Great video with a simple idea behind it.
While I love your videos and own most of your products, for some reason this one really hits home with me.
I will use it tomorrow with my guitar teacher. On Saturday mornings from 10:30am to noon I take my weekly guitar lesson. I will spend the time tomorrow to use his tip to improve and get extra value out of my lesson. I’ve been doing this with some licks intuitively but not often enough. This brings it back to my attention and into focus.
Now I’ll ask you a mutually beneficial favor; can you come up with a video on learning, I mean TRULY learning the fretboard?? The way you teach is your biggest asset! Your attention to detail is extremely valuable to me as a student of your videos. And I think a video series on really knowing the fretboard so that it becomes second nature would be a monster seller for you and would really be a fantastic aid to me.
Thanks and best wishes,
Walt
Walt, in one of his videos, Griff presents an exercise in which you set your metronome on 60 and then does the following:
Find C on the 6th string, then on the 5th string, then on the 4th string etc. Try to get to the C on the next string in time to the metronome. Do this for a few days until it is comfortable.
Then continue finding the C notes on string 6 – 1, and then add G. When that gets comfortable, add D and do the same thing.
Over time you will add additional notes, essentially from the circle of 5ths. So when you are done you will do the exercise using the following progression:
C – G – D – A – E – B – F# – C# – Ab – Eb – Bb – F
Do it for 5 minutes a day. At first, you will only be able to do a few notes in the 5 minutes. But as you get better at it, you will add additional notes until you can get the whole exercise done in the 5 minutes. Within a few weeks, you will be surprised at how much better you know the fingerboard!
Hi Griff, this just reinforces the need to know all the notes on the fretboard.
Thanks again for another great lesson.
Graeme
Thanks for the advice!
Walt
Thanks Griff! Love it!!! Take Care!!!
Joseph
yes getting a grip on the fingerboard . this is where i am at with these study lessons . have already found the bends for these strings you have mentioned . later on i will get back to this and tell you what i have found for lics . these types of lessons is where i get the most from. thanks boat loads .
A good, creative way of expanding the riffs, which give a lot more versatility to a piece. Thanks Griff.
Great shirt, by the way.
Thanks again Griff, downloaded lesson, hope someday to catch up. Bought a cheap acoustic guitar, thinking about a electric guitar, any videos about guitars that you recommend.
go to a music store and try out a few within a price range you feel comfortable with . how far do you want to go with this . just beginning to play acoustic get more experience first . make sure it is tuned properly also, it very important . was guitar properly set up? i once played several guitars one day all electric setteled one a 80s kramer mostly because it sounded the best and the set up was perfect . i then put seymore duncans on it and added a 70s floyd rose . a ibanze is like that almost . 2 cents hope it helps . just a mad man with a guitar later .
I have been playing guitar on and off for almost 60 years and I even made 4 or 5 electric guitars when I was in my teens. I am a long way short of playing as well as Griff though!
If you look on You Tube you will find that many experienced guitar players say things like “a good guitarist can make even a cheap guitar sound good”. Also there are some videos where for example a good and experienced guitarist takes the cheapest electric guitar on Amazon and compares it with his treasured Fender Strat. Essentially he says it is surprisingly good although not as good as his much dearer guitar of course. He goes on to say what a good investment it was for a beginner and that it was so easy to play and so well set up there was everything one needed to get off to a good start.
Now that is not to say that all examples of inexpensive guitars are as good, but it does show that you don’t have to pay a lot of money to get a good sounding and easy to play guitar.
I would suggest you look for a second-hand Stratocaster or Les Paul “look alike”, perhaps a Squier or Epiphone. That way you can try before buying something which you can’t do online. Try to take a guitar playing friend along with you, and check out the finger board for twists and warps by looking along it. Check the action or “playability” of the guitar by seeing how high the strings are at say the 12th fret compared with down at the first fret. It should be easy to press them down. (Lighter gauge strings helps) many guitars need a small adjustment to the Truss rod to get the strings as low as possible without incurring buzzing sounds at some frets.
In Canada or the US, $250 or less is all you need spend perhaps $50 more if a hard case is included.
Hope that helps!
Good luck with your search.
This is something I have never seen before but it looks great and I shall be spending a while having a go at this. It looks like a whole new dimension for soloing.