Guitar Update: Lesson 13: The A Form

The A form is the 4th mode of the minor pentatonic scale. The fingers are somewhat similar to the root position, so it's very easy to remember. Also the root of this scale is located at the 5th string, so it's quite easy to transit from root position to the A form as long as you know your notes on the last 2 strings. (i know i do, which is why the A form is the my 2nd favourite playing shape)

You can also look at the A form as the root pentatonic shape, shifted 1 string "down". So essentially all the playing patterns that you are comfortable with while playing in the root shape can be easily translated into the A form. The possible bends at the 3rd and 2th strings in the root shape, when translated to the A form, becomes bends at the 2nd and first strings. It's that simple.

Like the book said, the A form is a great position for playing some of the classic Blues sounds. The examples listed in the book focuses mainly on repeating bending double stops licks, which are mainly used to build some sort of a tension in a solo. So if u can't really shred, use double stops to cheat ^^. Like me ^^ x2

The solo for the lesson is a slower, more soulful one. Plenty of tricky bends, which really worked my fingers hard. The solo starts at the root on the 3rd string, so i decided to search the notes there instead. Kinda hard, but at least now i know C is at the 5th fret of the 3rd string. Another reference note there. It takes awhile to search, but i think with more practice it will come more naturally.

For me i prefer to use the A form's 1st 3 strings only, cos it's like the higher octave of the scale. Thus it's more practical for me to search at the 3rd string. But if you want to use the entire shape then probably you shld search from the 5th string instead.

Sidenote: I couldn't really review the previous examples, cos the lesson today is kinda long. Took me 1 hr to just finish the lesson. Yea, i guess probably i shall just finish learning the final form, the G Form by tml, then do a big review of everything the following day.

Not to mention my fingers are still damn sore. Ugh.

Sidenote 2: I lowered my pickups. My guitar sounds abit more balanced now. But the strings sound a tad bit brittle. I wonder if it's the stubby pick or if it's my 4 mths old strings. Of maybe it's just the way i attack the strings. Oh well. Should probably restring soon to see what happens.

Stay tuned for more.