The A Form
Following on from the C form, the next fingering of the pentatonic scale is the A form.
Practice ascending and descending in this form until you are confident you know it well.
The root notes in the A form are on the 5th and 3rd strings, as they are in an A shape chord.
Basic A Chord
A Form Bar Chord
Bend the 2nd string, while holding the 1st string steady.
The A form is a great position for playing some of the classic Blues sounds. This first one you will probably recognise right away. In this example it is important to keep the first finger holding the 1st string note (E) steady, while slightly bending the 2nd string note (C) at the 13th fret. Pick both notes at the same time.
Bend the 2nd string, while holding the 1st string steady.
This one involves the use of the fourth finger on the 1 st string straight after bending the 2nd string with the third finger (supported by the second finger). Don’t let the sound of the release on the 2nd string be heard before bending again. This can be done by releasing the pressure on the 2nd string upwards off the frets as well as sideways. Don’t let go of the string totally however or you will get open strings ringing. This technique may take some time to master, but it is an essential part of Blues technique.
This next exercise also contains a very common Blues sound which is the use of alternating bent and unbent notes, both the same pitch.
To finish things off, here is a 12 Bar Blues solo played within the A form featuring techniques from this lesson.
