I've decided to go back to some of the older lessons as kind of a refresher to maybe help me understand things a little better since I have some experience under my belt now. Sometimes when learning something new we don't grasp all concepts because there is so much information to digest at once.

My question is about the Pentatonic Horizontal Shifting lesson in the 101 Lessons section.

When playing the pattern Kris shows in Box1 and then shifting to Box2 am I suppose to land on a note (one that is played) within Box2 or can I land on any note within Box2 even if it is one that is not played when playing the Box2 pattern?

I hope that makes sense. Thanks in advance for the help!

If I understood correctly you are asking if you can land on any note in box 2 from box 1. The answer is yes you can.

The second part of your question is little confusing, could you rephrase please?

Having a question about the same lesson.

He is saying that the boxes are merely shells, and that you in the end shoud break out of the boxes and thinking of everything as a whole. But when he is shifting from box 1 to box 2 he says you have to slide or play the same note twice. But that is obviously contradicting what he just said.

-S

It makes sense. What is important to really know the pentatonic scale first (when it becomes your second nature and know it by ear), and then to break out of it.

No. You must land on a note within Box2.
Otherwise it will sound - literally - out of key.
The idea is to freely move from box to box.
Try playing the pentatonic scale on only one string! That way you learn how to play horizontally, not only vertically.

Jacmoe and Ivan thanks for the answers. It makes sense. Common sense told me that I should land on a PLAYED note within Box2, but wanted to make sure. Thanks again!

Hey JCJXXL

Ya, the MOST important thing is too ALWAYS hit notes that are in the boxes (those 5 notes).

I will share my practice concept to the scales..

1) Always start and finish on the ROOT note in the box
When i finish on the root note and have to go back.. i go all the way UP again to the 1st string, and back down to the 6th string.. when i hit the last note in the box, i JUMP to the root.. (not on shape 1 beginning on the root though.. im already there)

I found that by doing this i can remember and hear which key im in.. always..

2) Practice the scale on PAIRS of strings
I practice horizontal scales as well, and this i do with a pair of strings. for example i play 1st and 2nd string all the way up and all the way back down.. then i continue with 2nd and 3rd string.. then 3rd and 4th.. 4th and 5th.. and lastly 5th and 6th..

This has given me the ability to play horizontal through the boxes and it works pretty well..


Just my two cents.. hope you can use

No problem man. If you need some more horisontal shifting techniques you can check out my Legato Slides Lesson where I talk about slide runs throuhg the pentatonic boxes. The whole serie is dedicated to pentatonic so you can check it out too.