This is a short video based on a question from a viewer who was struggling with soloing over a blues in E… which I understand (because I had the same problem when I was new to soloing.)
E is an odd key because, on the low end, Box 1 of the Pentatonic scale is in open position, which throws many people off, and if you bring it up an octave it’s in 12th position which is already pretty high and squeaky, and probably not where you want to start a solo…
So, what to do?
This is a GREAT musical problem to solve… so watch and let’s solve it together:
36 replies to "Soloing In E Without Box 1"
Nice! I especially like the way this links box 4 to the higher position box 1. Very useful!
seems like an easier way to say this is learn the five boxes and where the roots are on each one… Although I like playing the open string Box 1 in E. The open strings allow easier finger movement, and avoids my weak pinkie – although it is limited for hammer ons and pull offs, bends and slides on the open strings.
OK, I agree with you that the “open chord/Cowboy Chord” area is a bit odd or uncomfortable when it comes to soloing over the E.
But as I watched you demonstrate that, it occurred to me that if I used my pinky over or beyond the nut, “box 1” of the E pentatonic scale becomes very apparent, If only for recognition of where you are located.
From there it seems to me that the other positions of the pentatonic scale also become more apparent no? Just an “out-of-the-box” idea (pun not intended until I saw it was one the, yes, it became intended!)
Griffin why not start on 2nd fret of 4th string with the E using box 1 fingering?
That would be box 2 of course.
You should do a lesson on “target notes”. And possibly playing thru the changes with targeting certain notes from chord to chord
Really well explained Griff
Killer Shirt! Where do I get one? Anyways, great video I kind of thought to myself that to solo in E you would have to use root notes in the middle of the guitar fretboard. Great parallel ( I was thinking to myself) to those flash cards that help you find what box you would use weather you want a minor or major sound wherever the root note may be on the fretboard. I practice those flash cards as much as I can and try to do a couple of them before I go to bed. They really help your soloing out a lot. Great video!
Alexander
Griff, Where is Texas did you move too?
i know it’s not a rule but i thought you were “supposed” to start a solo with the major pentatonic scale
Hey Griff, awesome lesson. I recently purchased a Tele and have solo fever. I have been looking at my box pattern sheet for two weeks, practicing moving from box to box in key of A. Thank you for demonstrating how to get around the exact issue I’ve been having taking lead in E. I plan to use this method for those Bb blues too.
Such a great teacher, this guy found his thing in life! Griff you are a pleasure too hear from!🙏🏼😎🎚
Hey there Griff……..my new next door neighbor (city)!! Jim C. over in Denton, TX
Jim C. in Gainesville. It’s a triangle.
You’re making this so much harder than it has to be. Just tell them to play G Major Pent. in the middle of the fretboard.
If you do that without E as the root it is in G Maj not E min. He is mentioning using other boxes but maybe to simplify it by just saying be able to connect all the boxes up and down the neck. End of story
This lesson sort of sent e back to the woodshed. More than one previous mention of needing to work on the boxes I ( and some others apparently) tend to neglect. Thanks. Maybe it’ll help on the fretboard wear I tend to acquire in the “cowboy position”.
Great lesson, I do the same thing with the modes!
I Got Wind Of It. Nice lesson. Thanks Griff.
Yup life is a gas for me . I have had 7 gave one away and one time had 9 . Three being adjusted or repaired. So the lesson goes on. I gave it some thought and without really knowing the complete answer I knew it . Only thing is You did not start on the root but a scale which has the root in it . This kinda really blew my mind. A over bearing long hair wrapped up to much on theory i guess
Thanx Griff.
My takeaways:
– there is more to know about the pentatonic scale than meets the eye
– knowing the boxes and being to move them around are very different things
– I need to focus on the pentatonic scale before I move onto other scales
– don’t get comfortable with playing the pentatonic scale in the “boxed in” way I learned the scale
Who cares if you have gas? Nobody can smell you.
Bye the way, that would be a good name for a song.
great lesson…
So … time to concentrate on learning box 4 and box 3 licks!!
Thanks Griff, good stuff as always…
Nothing wrong with GAS, I see guitars as functional art!
Thanks Griff. I love these short daily lessons. Much appreciated!
Cool!
4/11/19
Love the T-shirt Griff!! Lol
The nice thing about playing in the upper shapes of E is whatever open string you inadvertently hit is still in the key.
Another insightful lesson Griff.
There are a couple of places your 4 note pattern can be used.
Good eye – caught that myself after noodling around on this!
Another good lesson that made me look at the E in a new light. Each lesson has helped me understand the fretboard more. Thank you .Tony J
I sure got wind of that one! Nice lesson.
GREG
I follow you very much,,can you please :E” ME the 5 SCALES,,,,Will be a great help..
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP..
I have they
I EMAJOR AND EMINOR But they look the same
Gotta have a shirt like that (G.A.S.); where did you find it?
Thanks griff, that is my playing zone for e blues as playing with the open strings throws me off a bit. I also finally got the patterns from playing to the right or left of the root note. Which helps no matter where your root note is on the neck.