The six shape:
This is the main shape that my system is based on. It should be VERY recognizable because it is a part of the pentatonic shape that you might already know. The pentatonic scale has five notes and all five are in this shape. You will place this shape on the fretboard one way for a minor pentatonic scale and another way for the major pentatonic scale. There are two frets (a whole tone) separating each of this notes and each note is on the adjacent string.
Two notes are duplicated:
So there are five notes in this shape. Four single notes and one that is repeated in the upper right and lower left corner of this shape. All 5 of the notes in the pentatonic scales. And because of the duplicated notes the shape repeats just like the image below. (Note: See the “B” string article as this shape does not indicate any change of shape from the “B” string.
The Four Shape:
sThe other main shape is the four. This four shape is combined with the six shape to create scales. The cool thing about this is that where you place the four shape will determine what scale you are creating. This shape has both a notes on each string a semi-tone apart (one fret) and these two notes are adjacent to another two notes that are also a semi-tone apart. This creates a small square shape. This is an extremely easy shape to recognize and find on the fretboard.
Interaction 1
Interaction 2
Interaction 3
There are seven notes to a scale and there are already five notes from the six note shape, so the four shape will give you the final missing two. Two notes will be part of the six shape and two notes will be the missing two notes for the scale.
Depending on which three positions you put this four shape will depend on what scale it represents:
Interaction 1
This one is listed first because it will be the most common placement you will make, because it builds both the Ionian and Aeolian scale. You will notice that all notes on the four shape repeat on both sides of the six shape.
This will give you a major scale (or Ionian) shape if you place it on a major pentatonic shape.
This will give you a minor (or Aeolian) scale if you place it on a minor pentatonic shape.
Interaction 2
This will give you a Lydian scale shape if you place it on a major pentatonic shape.
This will give you a Dorian scale if you place it on a minor pentatonic shape.
Interaction 3
This will give you a Mixolydian shape if you place it on a major pentatonic shape.
This will give you a Phrygian scale if you place it on a minor pentatonic shape.