A minor open

Home Up Am pentatonic at C Am Pentatonic at D Am pentatonic at E Am at G 15th fret A minor open Am pentatonic at G Am at 19th fret

Take a look at the image above. We are now working on the position of the first red circle which is in the open position, starting at the Low E string. The open position is exactly the same as the 12 fret red circle. The only difference is we will be playing some notes in the open position (not fretting the note).

In the next illustration, I would like to cover the A minor pentatonic scale in the open position. The open position is where the strings are picked without having to fret them. Take a look at the image below. Notice the (0's) on the E A D G and E strings. Those strings are picked in the open fashion. Another thing of interest, the open position has the same fingering pattern as the 12th fret. Remember I stated that the notes repeat every twelve frets. Check it out. They both have the same pattern, however the pattern at the 12th fret is at a different octave.

Tablature for open position.

------------------------------------0-3--
 ----------------------------1-3---------
 ---------------------0-2----------------
 --------------0-2-----------------------
 --------0-3-----------------------------
 -0-3------------------------------------

When playing the open position scale you start at the open Low E string. The fingering is 0-3 0-3 0-2 0-2 1-3 0-3. The Low E string is picked without touching the fret board. Pick the Low E string now and let it ring out.

Then you would pick the Low E string again, but this time with your 3 finger down at the third fret look above and notice the 3 finger on the 3rd fret.

Then you would move to the (A) string. Pick the A string open and let it ring out. Now pick the (A) string again with the 3 finger down at the third fret.

The next string would be the (D) string. Pick the D string open and let it ring out. Now pick the (D) string again with the 2 finger down on the second fret. 

You would continue through the scale in same fashion down to the High E string.

 
Look to the left and notice the Am chord circled. The notes of the Am chord are A C and E. This is a great place to play over the Am chord and the C chord. To play over the Am chord, start with the open A string and play each note to the A note on the G string.
To play over the C chord, start with the C note A string 3rd fret to the C note B string 1st fret.

All we have left is one more position and then we can move on to grouping them. The next A minor pentatonic position will be starting on the G note or 3rd fret. 

A minor pentatonic scale at the G note III position.

Good Luck,

From the Jam Room