♫ Fretboard101: Lead Guitar In Any Key!

 
This guide will show you the fastest and most efficient way to improvise in any major or minor key, using movable pentatonic scale patterns on the low E string and A string. The following 4 scenarios give you the flexibility to quickly find and successfully play in any major or minor key:

 
When you have mastered this simple system using these 2 pentatonic scale patterns, you can apply the same logic to the blues scale, diatonic scale, and harmonic minor scale depending on the musical style or vibe you’re going for.

♫ Step 1: Find Your Note

This method relies on being able to find any note on the low E string or A string. Simply count up the string from the open note (E, or A) until you get to the note you’re looking for.

Here is a simple but important fact I suggest you memorize: E to F and B to C are each 1 fret (half step), and all other notes are 2 frets (whole step). Here is an illustration of all the notes on the low E string and A string:

 
Any open fret between these notes are sharps and flats. For example: the note between F and G can either be called F# (F sharp) or Gb (G flat). Whether we choose to call that note F# or Gb depends on what key we are in. Distinguishing between sharp and flat keys is not necessary for this exercise; but if you want to know how to do it, study the cycle of 5ths.

♫ Step 2: Place the Scale Pattern

Once you have successfully found your note on the low E string, simply slide the scale pattern to that note. If you are playing a minor scale, place your index (pointer finger) on that note (shown by the yellow note on the scale diagram). If you are playing a major scale, place your pinky on that note (the orange note on the scale diagram).
 

E string pentatonic scale:

 

♫ Jam Tracks

Key of B minor:

Key of A major:

 

♫ Adding Flavor

Sliding in to any note from 1 fret below.