Simpleton Solos

Ok here's the Em pentatonic scale;

E-------------------------5-8-------
B---------------------5-8-----------
G---------------5-7-----------------
D-----------5-7---------------------
A-----5-7---------------------------
E-5-8-------------------------------

Let's look at it a different way;

E--5--------------------8-----------
B--5--------------------8-----------
G--5--------------7-----------------
D--5--------------7------------------
A--5--------------7------------------
E--5--------------------8------------

Notice that centre portion;

G--5--------------7
D--5--------------7
A--5--------------7

Looks like a box, huh? These also happen to be the strings that sound most compelling with a touch of distortion. Walking back and forth around this part of the scale can sound dynamic.

So you've got up to the G string where do you go? That 8th fret is a bit of a reach. Well try a slide up to it on the B and thin E string together.

E--5 ----Neearghush!---> 8
B--5 ----Neearghush!---> 8

Where next? Well you're way up high, so why not drop back way down low. The thick (bass) string tends to sound boomy on most amps anyway so  only use it as a slide down into the basement;

E--5 <---bowangadung!---- 8

Then you're ready to climb the stairs again...

The great thing is this pattern recurrs in Key of A songs, in Key of G songs it's back at third fret and Key of B songs it's one forward at sixth fret. There's more to it but this is starter-ville