Box 4

Just one more box shape to go!

In the key of Am, this shape can either be played in open position or at the 12th fret (as shown). While the fingering is very different, and you should definitely practice playing it in both locations, the shape is the same.

Take your time with these. Each box you add to your repertoire increases the complexity exponentially. It takes weeks at a minumum (more likely, months) to truly master these exercises.

Since this is the last box shape, it connects back to the box 5 shape we’ve already learned. That means there are two serpentine drills to practice:

Congratulations!

If you’ve made it to this point, you’re now well on your way to mastering the fretboard.

Take a gander that intimidating diagram from the beginning of this chapter. It’s quite an accomplishment to have all of that memorized!

You should be comfortable finding notes to solo with all over the neck with this newfound knowledge. Put on a minor blues backing track and explore every different slur and articulation you can think of. Make up your own licks. Have fun, you’ve earned it!

You should also find it much easier to pick out licks from some of your favorite songs now. Pentatonic licks are everywhere.

You’re now ready to attempt the master proficiency test for all the minor pentatonic scale: RT6b • Minor Pentatonic: All boxes.