Question: I'm a beginner. How do you interpret the different Shapes (E,D,C,A,G) in terms of the different Scales? For example - what makes the first shape of the Major Pentatonic Scale an E-shape?
Answer
Great question.
This is all about how chords are essentially derived from scales - we take a bunch of tones from a scale pattern to form a chord shape.
Or, you can look at it the other way round - scales can be built around chord shapes, using the tones from the chord.
In the example of major pentatonic, the first position can build certain major chords...
This is because major pentatonic contains the tones of the major triad - root (1), 3rd and 5th of the major scale. The other tones can be used to "dress" that basic major sound.
The reason this is commonly referred to as the "E shape" or "E form" is because it is derived from that open E major shape you learn as a beginner, simply moved up the fretboard with a barred index finger. It's just a name for this particular movable chord form.
When thinking in chord "shapes", as you rightly pointed out, there are 5 main shapes to consider - E A C G and D. Again, these are so-called because they are based on their open shapes down at the first few frets.
The easiest way to identify these shapes across the fretboard for a given chord is to first identify their lowest root notes...
And this is why in the major scale lesson I encourage you to learn associated scale patterns around these "shapes", also rooted on those 3 lowest strings. This ties together the relationship between chord shapes and boxed scale patterns - the scaffolding around which we build movable chord forms.
Wow - what a comprehensive answer. I will go through the details and the video when I have time - but my first impression was of calm informed information. This is in marked contrast to many forums where newbies are "blasted" for asking newbie questions and usually told to go and RTFM.
If this is the general level of answer to questions in FretJam - then I will not only be returning to see other people's questions but will be at ease when I next ask a newbie question.
