Fretboard Knowledge: Triad Targets in the Rectangle and Stack

This cheat sheet distills one of the most useful skills in the Fret Science method: overlaying each chord's triad targets on the pentatonic rectangle and stack, so you always know where the strongest landing notes are — for any chord, anywhere on the neck.

It pairs with the triad-target material in Improv 101 (Module 7), but it stands on its own as a quick reference to keep by your side while you practice chord-tone soloing.

Triad targets inside the rectangle and stack

This cheat sheet is a placeholder for the Improv 101 video “7-4 Fretboard knowledge: Triad targets inside the rectangle and stack.” There will be a more complete explanation when the course is complete.

The basic idea is that it’s worth memorizing the target notes (and root position) for each of the seven diatonic triads as they relate to the pentatonic rectangle and stack.

Ionian/Aeolian configuration

In the video, the examples are the seven diatonic triads overlaid on the minor pentatonic scale that starts on the 6th scale degree, which is the same as the major pentatonic scale that starts on the 1st scale degree. The triads all fit the “staggered” pattern from the “Hidden in plain sight” method.

Lydian/Dorian configuration

If the base pentatonic scale is the minor pentatonic starting on the 2nd scale degree or the major pentatonic scale starting on the 4th scale degree, the overlays corresponding to the Nashville number system triads fit the “bright” pattern from the “Hidden in plain sight” method.

Mixolydian/Phrygian configuration

If the base pentatonic scale is the minor pentatonic starting on the 3rd scale degree or the major pentatonic scale starting on the 5th scale degree, the overlays corresponding to the Nashville number system triads fit the “dark” pattern from the “Hidden in plain sight” method.