I want to move through all the notes in succession all the way through the neck for a particular key. When you move from pattern 1 all the way through to pattern 5 using the major or minor pentatonic scales, how do I ensure I move to the next note for the next pattern?
Thanks for your question Scott. I believe you're asking whether or not there is a "correct" way to finish one pentatonic scale pattern and then start the next. Or maybe you wonder if you should connect the patterns in a continuous manner so that you don't skip or repeat any notes. The answer to both questions is no. Just play up and down a pattern in one position and then move to the next, restart and play up and down the new pattern. At this stage you're just trying to train yourself to access the scale notes in any position, or "map out" the fretboard. After you have memorized and can play all five pentatonic scale patterns ascending and descending you need to transpose to new keys and practice the patterns again. The final step is to put the patterns to use by learning lots of pentatonic scale songs. Songs will be in various keys and move through the patterns in various ways including starting and stopping, reversing direction, skipping and repeating notes, and shifting positions.
