Pentatonic Shapes on the Fretboard

Blue Morris
Aug 17, 2024
2 min read

One of things that is crucially important for all guitar students to learn are the pentatonic shapes on the fretboard. Usually I suggest getting very comfortable playing in Shape 1 Easy shape before you explore the others. But once you're ready to do that, you'll find that memorizing the other shapes is not that hard. Remember to just visualize the shape and where the roots are so that you know how to find them.

One thing that helps students to memorize the shapes is to have a name for each one. Most people just number them, shape 1, 2 etc. But having a "nickname" that describes the shape really helps us to remember which one is which.

I have updated my handout that I've been using for 15 years now with these "nicknames" on top of each shape to help you find them better. "Easy Shape," also known as "Shape 1," is in the top middle spot.

Download a printable PDF using the link below.

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All my students here in Vancouver have these in their books. I'd recommend you keep copies close as well. If you don't have these shapes memorized yet, start with one you do know -- get to know each one well before you move on to memorizing the next.

If you try to memorize them all at once, I find students tend to forget them. Just get to know one really well, then try another. Don't be in a hurry. We need to know these like the backs of our hands.

20 Comments

Sujin Jeong

5 days ago

Love this breakdown — naming the pentatonic shapes really does make memorizing them so much easier. I used to get lost past Shape 1, but thinking of them visually and focusing on one at a time has helped a ton.

Also, for anyone who practices for long sessions… my shoulders and forearms get super tight after hours of playing. Recently found Honey Room 전국출장마사지, and wow — it’s been a lifesaver for tension and posture. A relaxed body really does help a relaxed mind (and smoother playing too).

Back to working through Shape 2 — slowly but surely!

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