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Hey @Cadgirl ;
So, this is a trick question. The Two-Pad-Stack has an out of key note. Since it has both a B and a Bb. Now, of course, the Bb could be an A#. Yeah, but there is also an A, so no, you can’t make it fit. Forgetting the E drone, the notes are G, A, G, E; D, E, D, B; A, Bb. A, G; E, D, E.
Ok, now let’s look at the scale shapes. If this is the D scale shape, then the B (the open 2nd string) is your out of key note. But that would mean that you were in the key of F and you would be playing E Locrian. I doubt that Tony would be playing Locrian.
I get why you would end up thinking it’s D, because the first few notes seem to fit that pattern However, when you go up the neck to the E scale shape, then you see that the open 2nd string doesn’t fit. Since we have notes that go lower than the D scale shape, we have to look further. We also have to consider that E note drone.
Since we found the open 2 string doesn’t fit, let’s try the A scale shape. Now that open 2 string fits, but it’s the Bb (3rd fret, 3rd string ) that doesn’t fit. As you listen to this lick, it is the Bb that sounds like the “blue” note. But, now you are in the key of C, so the E drone would put you in the mode of Phrygian. Yeah, no. Again, not Tony. He plays major and minor, that’s it. As long as you think the major and minor scales are keys, you can’t play modes because it is too confusing. What I mean is, if major and minor are keys, then why isn’t Locrian and Phrygian keys. And there are still 3 more. So yeah, it’s not Phrygian.
Ok, well, let’s try the E scale shape. Oh, it turns out it fits just like the A scale shape, everything but the Bb (3rd fret, 3rd string) fits. AND NOW YOU ARE IN THE KEY OF G!!! In the key of G, E is the relative minor. Oh, Tony loves the key of G, and he loves using the minor scale. And if you were playing the Em scale, then Bb would be your true “blue” note.
So, the correct answer to the original question is the E scale shape. In that shape, the 3rd fret, 1st string is your major root, and the open 1st string is your minor root. And he loves the G scale shape the best, and that’s the one right below the E scale shape which you have to consider since this lick crosses the boundary between two scale shapes.
P.S. I didn’t bother to read anyone else’s comments. I just started with your original comment.
MG 😀