How To Play in Minor Keys​ with the Connected Patterns

• STEP 1: WATCH the video to learn the connected unit. It shows how the connected pattern plays in minor keys. What you should notice is this:
  • To play in a Minor key, simply START the pentatonic on the minor keynote. For example, if the key is “B Minor”, simply START the pentatonic on the note “B”.
  • From there, Major scale pattern 1 is still connected to the pentatonic in the same way (where major scale pattern 1 STARTS where your ring finger falls on the first string of the scale [the G string]).
• STEP 2: EXPERIMENT AND IMPROVISE.
  • Go to YouTube and search for “B Minor” backing track. Find a track in the key of B Minor which sounds interesting. Play the track.
  • Then START the pentatonic on the B note at 4th fret and improvise as long as you wish.
  • After experimenting and improvising with the pentatonic, then slide your FIRST FINGER up to the 7th fret and begin improvising and experimenting with major scale pattern 1.
  • Yes, I know you’re playing a “major scale” in a “MINOR KEY” – we’ll cover that later. For now, just practice improvising using BOTH the pentatonic AND major scale pattern 1 in the same key (B Minor).
• STEP 3: REVIEW. If necessary, review the video on how to change keys (Minor keys) by sliding both the Pentatonic and Major Scale Pattern 1 up or down the fretboard so that the Pentatonic starts on the keynote.
• STEP 4: PRACTICE OTHER KEYS. Repeat step 2 but practice improvising and experimenting with both scale patterns in the following keys:
  • A Minor
  • C Minor
  • Bb Minor

Note: Your “playing” doesn’t need to sound perfect for right now – you just need to know where on the fretboard to play both major scale pattern 1 and connect the pentatonic to be able to play in different Minor keys. The more you practice this, the more it will become second nature to you.

→ Move on when you are clear on how to play BOTH major scale pattern 1 and the pentatonic in all three of these keys.

Backing Tracks

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