Unlock the fretboard with the "First Finger Pinky Rule"

If you've ever wanted to be able to solo over the chord changes by switching scales at a moments notice, by hearing the chords underneath or using other rhythmic targets in a song or jam track, this easy trick will help you find the scale you're looking for in the blink of an eye.
The easiest way to remember how to switch from Major Pentatonic to Minor Pentatonic and back again! The amazing thing about what I call the "First Finger Pinky Rule" is that it allows us to switch scales while still using the same easy pentatonic shapes that we already know.
Download a "First Finger Pinky Rule" cheat sheet from my website
www.bluemorris.com/post/first...
Tabs, Jam Track, Practice Tips, and more on our Patreon
/ guitarlessonsvancouver
Guitar instructional books by Blue Morris on Amazon
www.bluemorris.com/shop
Blue Morris is a guitar teacher in Vancouver, Canada.

[@Sandoz9710-f2x]

What a fantastic teacher you are, I've learned so much from you, much appreciated, many many thanks.

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thank you Stuart! Lots more like this on the channel and our Patreon if you haven't already checked that out www.patreon.com/guitarlessonsvancouver

[@ChrisMcMahonMSJ]

MMW’s “It’s a Jungle in Here”! I had to go listen after watching!

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thanks! Yeah it's a cool album, great band :)

[@DmitriSkif]

That's really easier to remember than counting frets, thanks. Also it seems to be very helpful to easily shift equal licks along the fretboard up and down, staying still in tune, but at different step of a scale.

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Glad it was helpful! 😀

[@RBZ3]

Thanks Blue.

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thanks again for watching RB!

[@georgev8479]

Hi, Another AWESOME video. You make it so easy to learn and enjoy. I'm 67 years young and just getting back into guitar from many years ago. I was not good at leads and riffs even when I was young and it's a treat to finally learn it now. I enjoy all your videos and find them really helpful. Now I can jam along with my son who is an excellent player. Thanks SOOOOO much. Be Well my friend. 🙂

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thank you George! Lots more coming here and if you need more, we have lessons on our Patreon group www.patreon.com/guitarlessonsvancouver

[@licksnkicks1166]

What a beautiful and encouraging reply❤️!

[@dieterwolf1122]

This was extemly important for my solo guitar playing. Thank You very much.

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Glad to hear it! Lots more on the channel 😀

[@briancreeger8671]

Thanks for this lesson

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thank you for the extra support! Much appreciated 🎸👍

[@eldorado111]

Thanks Blue. Yet another sensational lesson!

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thank you Eldorado!

[@josealbaposse]

Excellent Blue!! Thanks for teaching the pinky rule!!!!

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Gracias José

[@d.t.3958]

Man that video was super helpful. I know about relative minor/major and related stuff. But my huge learning from this lesson: The names for the pentatonic positions!!! So easy, so genius😊 Never thought about doing that and voila, it makes stuff so much easier than just numbering them. Thanks for that! And of course for all your other stuff which really takes me a long way!

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Great! Yeah giving the shapes names helps for memorizing them for sure :) Lots more on this channel and our Patreon, thanks for watching!

[@RossMooreEnt]

What a great teacher you are. I have learned so much!! Thank you

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thank you for saying!

[@officialWWM]

What an awesome teacher you are!

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thank you! 😃

[@onefleetingglimpse]

Thank you Blue for another insightful lesson! I love the way you use visual cues to make complex concepts easy to understand :)

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Cool thanks for watching and commenting 🙂

[@bradhorne6552]

that is so cool.. always scartched my head about major and minor penta

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thank you! This quick method always seems to work well with my students. Easy to remember :)

[@rafa_guitar]

Very good lesoon Blue Morris, so practical and useful uses of this trick, thanks a lot!

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thanks Rafa!!

[@licksnkicks1166]

Fabulous lesson! You are my go to teacher now. Everyone else is meh! I have never connected with a teacher in this manner before. I have had lessons and such but in 13 years of playing I am finally able to connect the dots. Thank you thank you thank you. I feel empowered! ❤️

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thank you!! Welcome aboard 😀

[@rogervirus3346]

Thank you Blue. It's really awesome to play minor penta with the ride cymbals. I really enjoy this new lesson. Thank you thank you and thank you from The Philippines

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thank you Roger! Glad you are enjoying the dynamic targets. They work so well

[@licksnkicks1166]

OMG I can do this in any key!!! This is just fabulous. Nice tricks to add to my bag. I thank you for kick starting me playing again. I just love the way you teach.

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Cool glad it's working for you 😀

[@stevecrockett6619]

These concepts are a stretch for my skill level but you teach them so well that I'm getting a glimpse into the "secrets" of understanding the fretboard better. Thanks so much for the lesson 🙂

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Cool thanks Steve!

[@TurboCummins]

Thank you Blue. I enjoy your videos and I usually pick up something that sticks in every lesson. It helps me add to my bag of licks. Maybe you can hear some of you influence in my videos. Thank you so much for the tips. All your work and effort shows in each one of your videos. You are greatly appreciated.

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Cool, I'll have a listen.

[@moasunepaier8511]

Thank you So Much SIR... Your lessons have really helped me know and explore the fret board more and my versatility as well..... GOD Bless You ....

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Great to hear! Thank you!

[@edgardobustillo5966]

Great job !! Very good approach for this very useful material. Thanks a lot.

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thanks Edgardo!

[@98939893]

Love it, bro. Love you.

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@GeraldFischer-my3rk]

Thank you the way you teach the best

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thanks for the great compliment! Lots more guitar lessons coming!

[@capearkona1989]

Great video as always.👍 I have to admit that I have always just stayed in one shape, because it´s easy and I was lazy too😅 now switching between major and minor is really fun to play and it gives you so much more options. Thanks again!

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Ya so many stay in one shape, but we'll done to you for being able to switch, it's s great skill to have!

[@jasonlight8813]

Fantastic lesson. This has really helped with some essential know-how. 👌

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Awesome thank you!!

[@simonwinstanley1105]

You're a great teacher

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thanks Simon!!

[@bavarianvanlife5709]

For me your videos are a true game changer! It is easy to combine them as well cause you use the same of you own terms all the times. So both thumbs up 👍👍

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thank you! Glad it's helping. Lots more coming!

[@thislisa]

This channel deserves waaaaay more subscribers. Excellent content every time.

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thank you!!!!

[@thiagoandes2951]

Thank you again ❤

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thanks again!

[@kalobpierson9753]

Awesome video 👍

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thank you 👍

[@jeffdubuque3755]

great lesson, that`s a cool little tip about the drums, jeff d southwestern Ontarioi.

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thanks Jeff, ya dynamic changes are great moments for changing our solos.

[@charlesfellows8130]

Another well explained one Blue. I'd like to see how you would teach the modes and applying them.

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thanks Charles! Modes are coming up but might not be for a little while yet. I want to make sure I cover more of the intermediate level topics first.

[@charlesfellows8130]

@@GuitarLessonsVancouver right, understood. modes can be difficult, interested to see your approach at teaching them tho.

[@dariusdamonte4685]

Blue, your lessons are amazing! I’ve learned more since finding your channel a couple of weeks ago then I did in a decade of futzing around. Thank you!! Question: is there a recommended order to your lessons? I know a couple them are in order but what about the rest? Thank you!

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Hi Darius thank you!! There is unfortunately no order. That is due to the KZbin medium. But I'm trying to keep things to a similar intermediate level for a while. You could also check out our Patreon if you are looking for more www.patreon.com/guitarlessonsvancouver

[@nigelpayne1262]

I really appreciate your lesson you make it easy to understand this blessed fretboard many thanks Blue.😎🎸👍

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thank you Nigel!

[@biff2454]

Thanks for the clear and concise instruction. Very fun and practical too. I’m working my way through your Guitar Pro book - it’s excellent. Any idea when you plan to come out with your 2nd book - focusing on major pentatonic etc?

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thanks! I'm working on book 2 though I've been so busy I haven't had much time. Hopefully end of summer ☀️

[@marions.120]

As always, a great lesson. You brought back alot of what I do subconsciously, but need to think about when I practice. p.s. Thanks for including an address I can actually write you. Have an awesome day, and thanks again! ✌️😎🎸🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thanks Marion! Glad it was helpful!

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thanks for watching! 😎 Tabs, jam track and more videos like this on our Patreon www.patreon.com/guitarlessonsvancouver

[@TheCharacterD]

Awesome

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thanks for watching 🎸

[@briandwi2504]

A Saturday treat! I am uncertain which notes I can bend in the major and minor pentatonics, so if you have any tips..... Great video. Useful ideas unpacked as always. Top man!

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thanks Brian, my book Guitar Soloing Like a Pro has the info for bends in minor. Book 2 will have the major. But I'll think about doing on that too. It would be a good topic for a video.

[@briandwi2504]

@@GuitarLessonsVancouver I have your books, which are great and I kind of have a feel for where the bends go in the minor pentatonic but not so much once I am out of easy shape and I am a bit cautious with the major pentatonic as you can bend badly there! Anyway, just a thought. Looking forward to the new book!

[@joeliberty545]

Awesome :)

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thank you Joe!

[@gomerzepeda74]

this is so coooool

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thank you!!

[@Ricardo1ful]

I will translate your speech into Portuguese and then I will study the lesson. Thank you very much!

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thanks Ricardo! I think Google can auto- translate it for you.

[@Ricardo1ful]

God bless you. Thanks

[@jockster5525]

Awesome thanks for your efforts and sharing your experience ❤

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thank you!

[@gibbystar5545]

So glad stumbled onto your videos. Just what I needed. Thank you so much Blue. Just a question I was always thinking you just play the Min Penta based on the 6th Deg of the Key, i.e F#min Penta over Key of A you could noodle around regardless of the cord playing underneath it would all work? But I think playing as you have shown means you're hitting the chord tones being played underneath? And makes it more musical have I got it right? Cheers. TIA.

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

You can do either. You can stay in Major Pentatonic of the root chord the whole time, or change to the major pentatonic for the IV chord, and the V chord. Both are good options. Nice to be able to have both available when we want that sound :)

[@rodneyainsworth9547]

After all these years someone really wants to help for real. This has really made a light come on for me. Unfortunately I’m so old my bulb is almost blown.

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Great to hear thank you! Lots more on the channel and our Patreon

[@marvinrudd5268]

Thanks for your lessons,much appreciated. My question is how does this work for other pentatonic scales? Or does it?

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

My "First Finger Pinky Rule" only works for finding Major Pentatonic and Minor pentatonic for the "Easy Shape" (shape 1) and for "Funny B String Shape" (Shape 4). The other shapes of the pentatonic can then be found in order from there. My other video called "Never Get Lost on the Fretboard" may also help you with this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqjWi51ria6or5I

[@user-il9ip8no2o]

Cool! It sounds like the Canadians won the hockey World Championship.

[@rbmoman]

cool

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@davitong]

The more you mention Vancouver, the more Vancouver becomes music mecca!

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Haha it's pretty nice here, but its certainlynot Nashville. We could use more live music venues ... like a lot cities 😀

[@r0bophonic]

@@GuitarLessonsVancouver When I visited years ago for a job interview I couldn’t find a single live music venue. Is there a decent music scene there now? Montreal is the only place in Canada I know of with a good one.

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

@@r0bophonic It's not great for live music, but we do have a few cool venues left.

[@robgallant1641]

This is great. Im still just learning and maybe this makes no sense. Using the first/pinky method on the pentatonic scale, is that considered the major shape and it's corresponding relative minor shape simlar to G and it's relative minor being Em?

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Yes you can use the first finger pinky rule in two ways: as you described it shows you that A minor penta is the same as C major pentatonic. Or if you want A major pentatonic then put pinky on A and play easy shape from there.

[@mabblers]

Great lesson, just curious. You played all those shape, what determine which shape to play from when all sounded equally great?

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thank you! If I understand your question, you can use Major Pentatonic on any major chord, or in any major key. You can use Minor pentatonic in any minor key.. though you can also use minor pentatonic in major keys when the song is blues-y or blues-rock. There's some more info about what I mean by that in this other video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWq0lYmhj66rd9E

[@mabblers]

@GuitarLessonsVancouver Yes, thanks. You make it look so easy to play. I know that you've put in the time. I have a deeper appreciation for guitar players. There's a lot more to know, and understand than, like for me playing the drums or percussion. I pick the sticks hit my drums and hold a beat.

[@MovieMaker309]

Excellent video, really helpful. Probably a stupid question, but how does this work with G minor pentatonic (easy shape)? Thanks

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

If I understand your question, it would be G major pentatonic open position so you would use open strings -- open 3 open 2 open 2 open 2 open 3 open 3 😁

[@MovieMaker309]

Thank you🙂

[@UrjunkMygold]

🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thanks!!

[@michaelwillis4604]

This may be a dumb question but are playing a D major chord on you loop?

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

It has D A Bm G ... all common chords of D major key

[@noodle845]

The thing with parraell keys is they only share 4 notes, The 1, 2, 4 & 5. So it depends on the chords being played at the time doesn't it?

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

It does. Generally speaking the minor pentatonic can be used over songs in a major key that can hold that bluesy sound, so I IV V certainly, any blues context, blues rock, and sometimes many surprises that just seem to work when we want that sound. So many ways to think of it. Like a dominant sharp 9 chord has a major 3rd, but the #9 could also be thought of as a min7, like min pentatonic 😄

[@noodle845]

Yeah, I'm just trying to get to grips with this now. I was taught alot of theory when I first started, but didn't use it much! Like tonight I found out you can use the G Minor pentatonic scale with G major, G Minor and B-flat Major progressions! 😂 music is a bitch isn't it! Keep up your good work!

[@jamesadams1064]

Once again Blue is tiring all together. At least for me. Nice Tele, too. Looks like mine. Thanks Blue!

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thanks James! It's an American Pro tele from maybe 6 or 7 years ago.

[@PR-BEACHBOY]

What is VERY CONFUSING is that when starting WTH the pinky (Major Pentatonic) you immediately move to the “A” string instead of hitting the second note on the “E” string. In the minor pentatonic (first and third fingers hit the low “E” string. How come NOBODY mentions that? Unless I watch the video VERY CLOSELY that VERY IMPORTANT fact just slips by!

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

That's true because the root is under the pinky finger, the next note ascending up would be first finger A string.

[@trusarmor4957]

13:15 explain this please ?

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

You mean why I call it Funny B? Just because in Shape 4 pentatonic the B string is up one fret. Just a quick way of describing how it looks so students can picture it quickly.

[@trusarmor4957]

@@GuitarLessonsVancouver thank you

[@TheCharacterD]

Can't wait, my 2 books from Amazon are coming in 2 days. Thks @bluemorris

[@GuitarLessonsVancouver]

Thank you! Let me know if you have any questions about the books :)