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→E Minor Layout on Fretboard
The only change here from G Major to E Minor is to reposition the roots. All the notes are the same. Notice with the minor roots, our method of determining which pattern is a bit different. Before we looked at the location of the tonic note in reference to the lowest notes for the position. We can do the same thing here, but we have to add 2 to get the major root. For example, in open position, the low E is the lowest or first note of the pattern. Add 2 to get the 3 pattern, which corresponds to the major root, G, as the 3rd lowest note in the pattern.
== Ultimate Goals ==
Play each pattern until it becomes like 2nd nature. Remember that the major scale is built off the w-w-h-w-w-w-h pattern, and the natural minor uses the same pattern but with a different starting note (w-h-w-w-h-w-w). As you play each pattern, you'll really start to feel the whole and half steps as well as hear where the tonic note is. You'll be able to tell if you confused something and threw in an extra note, or shifted a note a half-step in either direction. You'll get a feel for the "gravity" of the tonic note.
You'll start to see more and more of the relationships between notes. For instance, the leading tone (7th note) in the major scale does not have a P5 above and P4 below but a tt interval above and below, while every other note does. The 4th note of the scale is the only note that doesn't have a P4 above and P5 below.
It's easy to see whole vs. half steps on the same string. Seeing them between pairs of strings takes a little more getting used to, especially considering the 2nd and 3rd strings' different relative tuning compared to other pairs of strings. Running through these patterns really helps cement that idea in your head, especially if you sing [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solf%C3%A8ge solfege] along with your playing. The major scale is '''''Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do''''' (Dough Ray Me Fah So Lah Tea Dough). The Minor Scale is '''''Do Re Ma Fa So Le Ta Do''''' (Dough Ray May Fah So Lay Tah Dough).
=== So We're Memorizing Shapes? ===
Yes, but you always have to remember the shapes are a means to an ends. To play actual melodies, we may jump around inside any particular pattern. Also, there is no guarantee a song will stay 100% inside a particular key. It may borrow notes outside the scale, altering how we play in the pattern.
I prefer to look of these patterns as a "filter". We are simply blocking out the notes that are "outside" of the major or minor key we're playing in.