Playing in Minor Keys

1. Watch the video to see how to use the connected “unit” of major scale pattern 1 and the pentatonic to play 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]).
2. 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 4th fret. 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).
3. 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.
4. Repeat step 2 (by searching for backing tracks on YouTube in Minor Keys), but practice improvising and experimenting with both scale patterns in the following keys: 1) A Minor, 2) C Minor 3) Bb Minor. Move on when you’re “reasonably comfortable” with knowing how to play both major scale pattern 1 AND the pentatonic scale pattern in the same key – AND when you’re reasonably comfortable doing this in different keys. 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. When you’ve got the hang of it, move on.

Backing Tracks

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