Extending Box 1 Pentatonic
Okay… so I can hear it now, “why on earth do we need ANOTHER way to look at the pentatonic scale?”
It’s my simple mantra that you’ll hear me say over and over and over again, “The more ways you have to look at the same group of notes, the better off you’ll be.”
For some people, one way just clicks better than the others. For some people, a different way just clicks. So as your teacher it’s my job to put as many possibilities in front of you so that you can grab bits and pieces of what works for you and put it to use.
This particular pattern is very common when I look at solos by Clapton, SRV, and Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top. In fact, I’d say that with box 1 and these extensions, you probably cover about 85-90% of what those guys play. So it’s worth your time 
Downloads
This Video (MP4)Mac users should use the MP4 version to download the video
- This Video (WMV)
Windows users should use the WMV version to download this video.
If you need it, here’s the TAB for it.
thanks griff; that really helps me. enjoy your lessons. mike h;;;
This was lovely. A while back you blogged a lick that had some bends in box 1 then slid into box 2. My eyes and fingers really opened to connecting boxes like train tracks along the fretboard not just across it. The magic is in this one, too, plus looking at the box to the left of the root anchor. Thank you for the daily insight and inspiration as I work through the rest of my bgu material.
Thnks Griff, excellent exercise to run across neck just awesome!
Great exercise it opens up a whole new way of looking at the fretboard.
This is just what I was looking for Griff. Keep it coming 👍👍
Thanks Griff. Always informative lessons!!
For those who have learnt the 5 boxes this is total confusion.
If it doesn’t work for you, don’t use it, but don’t think the 5 boxes are the only way to look at a pentatonic scale. If anything, they should be a beginning, not an end.
I’ve learned the 5 boxes and it fits right in to the CAGED system and actually its covering 3 boxes G E and D and you can also use the same pattern starting with your little finger on the root which makes it major and now you have 3 more boxes to play out of as long as your playing in a major key that is
I was working on figuring out how to do this and was close and now there it is . This was exactly what I wanted, you truly are a phenomenal teacher Thanks GRIFF!
Hey Griff,
Thanks for that lesson, I’ll try that pattern especially up the fret board. Can’t wait to practice that.
Great lesson!
Alexander
This was exactly the way I was taught the pentatonic scale years ago. It wasn’t until starting BGU that I realized I was extending down into box 5 and up into box 2. Thanks for the lesson!
Brilliant!
Brilliant as usual. Thanks Griff
Great lesson and i love playing in Box 2
Thank You! That really helped open the fretboard up for me 🙂
Very well explained for us basic players. Looking forward to getting this down. Thank you
Great as always
Thanks Griff, that is a great lesson. If any way possible, could you do a lesson on picking
For some reason my hand is to stiff. Picking the wrong string at the wrong time. Thanks PJ
Hi Griff, I enjoy you tidbits of lessons very much. Here’s my delema, Do you or any of your fellow students know of any experiences of Dupintin’s Contracture and anything that can be used to overcome such conditions short of surgeries? I have already done a few without success. It’s a real pain to do cords etc. Anyone?
Henry Harrison
If you consult an Osteopathic physician (DO) who ACTUALLY DOES manipulative therapy he or she may be able to get you some relief from your Dupuytren hand contractures. Good luck
Thank You! 👍
Thanks Griff
Inspirational Griff
Yep!
7/23/20
Great stuff Griff!!! I’ve been digging all the recent videos of sliding from box 1 to box 2, moving along the fretboard, etc.
Really appreciate when these are tabbed out to…lose my place on fretboard sometimes with just individual scale patters.
Thank you for sharing this information and expressing it in such a way that is easy to learn and understand.Often I have been inspired by your creative ideas and teaching method. Shine On Bright Spirit and again thank you for all your efforts to improve our lives and musical skills.
This changed my world!! Thank you!
Thank you again Griff for another great lesson. I appreciate you taking time to do these lessons!
Great way of learning the scale in a different way in case you do get lost or to Confident Thanks Giff
similar to Allman bros Blue Sky. Love this riff
Very useful Griff! Thanks for sharing