Connecting C and A - pentatonic

Now that we have a clear map of our chord tones in our C and A shapes, we’ll focus on finding musical ways to connect them in the key of D.

Key points

As you get creative, try to keep the following in mind:

• Visualize your shapes – Use your root and chord tones as visual anchors. The goal is to build up a map of the fretboard, not just memorize scales.
• Remember your connection points – Visualization meets fingering! Exercise 2 from yesterday (Day 4) should set you up to connect smoothly across the shapes.
• Do what feels natural – Use Molly’s suggested fingerings or follow your intuition.

Let’s jump in and inch toward that sweet, sweet jam.

Exercise 1. Up and down both shapes  

Take the pentatonic scale for a walk in both shapes – this is the same drill as in Day 4, just with two more notes added.

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Exercise 2. Up C, down A  

Let’s integrate these shapes even more. Go up the C shape with the pentatonic scale, then shift up two frets to go down the A shape.

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Lick  

Let's check out a spicy bluesy lick. Take some time to isolate the slide and hammer-on motions if you’re struggling with them.

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Jam  

Let's unwind with a jam. Use the lick you just learned, and let your creativity off the leash.

Very nicely done. In Day 6, we'll set sail for a new key so that we don't get stuck in one part of the fretboard.