In Lesson 1, you learned how the pentatonic shape moves to any key by sliding to a new fret. Now look at what happens when you tile the shape diagonally across the neck. This is the key to covering the entire fretboard in a single key.
The Diagonal Pattern
In fourths tuning, every string is 5 semitones above the previous one. Two strings up equals 10 semitones. If you also shift 2 frets up the neck, you add 2 more semitones - for a total of 12, which is one octave. This means: the same pentatonic shape appears 2 frets higher every 2 strings.
Look at the A minor pentatonic box at fret 5. The notes on the E and A strings (frets 5-8) reappear on the D and G strings at frets 7-10 — same pitch classes, one octave higher. They cascade again onto the C and F strings at frets 7-9. The shape tiles diagonally up and to the right.
Tile 1: Strings E-A (frets 5-8)
Both Tiles Combined
Now see how the second tile overlaps with the first. The notes on strings D and G at frets 7-10 are the same pitches as strings E and A at frets 5-8, just one octave higher. The pattern cascades diagonally.
Why +2 Frets per 2 Strings?
Each string in fourths tuning adds 5 semitones. Two strings = 10. An octave is 12. The remaining 2 semitones come from shifting 2 frets up the neck. Uniform tuning makes this an exact diagonal.
One Pattern vs Five
Standard tuning needs 5 CAGED patterns to tile the neck. In fourths tuning: 1 pattern tiles diagonally. Start anywhere, move 2 frets up and 2 strings up to find the next group of pentatonic notes.
Practice
Exercise 1: Trace the Diagonal
Start with the A minor pentatonic box at fret 5 on the E string. Play just the E and A strings. Then jump to the D and G strings at frets 7-9 and play the same intervals. Then the C and F strings. You are tracing the diagonal path across the neck.
Exercise 2: Connect the Tiles
Play ascending through tile 1 (E and A strings), then continue into tile 2 (D and G strings) without pausing. The overlapping notes on the D string (frets 5 and 7) are your bridge between tiles. Practice until the transition feels seamless.