Lead 302 - Minor Scale Shapes

Now it is time for the natural minor scale. You are familiar with the minor pentatonic scale, so again, you want to view this scale as an extension of the pentatonic. We are adding the half steps at our 2nd and b6 scale degrees. The minor scale formula is:

Whole - Half - Whole - Whole - Half - Whole - Whole

Or these intervals:

1   2   b3   4   5   b6   b7

Below are the five patterns of the natural minor scale. Memorize them and play them the same way you did the pentatonics. Connect all five patterns up and down the neck in a variety of different keys.  Try to visualize the underlying chords in the patterns. Start by playing the minor chord of each pattern, then the corresponding arpeggio, the pentatonic scale, and then the full minor scale. Good luck!

Jamtracks:

1.  A minor vamp

2.  D minor vamp

3.  E minor vamp