There are a number of Enclosure variations that you can explore when soloing in any style, but we will

look at the
most commonly used version, ½ step above and ½ step below.

This means that when you want to bring a sense of ​tension and release​ into your playing, you can play a ½ step
above a target note, then a ½ step below that target note, before finally landing on your target note and resolving that
tension.

Here is an example of that concept ​applied​ to the note G in the first bar, and then to a G triad in the second and third
bars. Try playing through these examples to get an idea of ​how they sound​ before moving on to the more complex
examples below.

Minor Pentatonic Scales With Enclosures 

Now that you know what an Enclosure is, let’s look at applying it to a few ​common melodic patterns​, starting with the
Minor Pentatonic Scale.

As this is one of the first scales we learn when improvising, in ​jazz or rock/blues styles​, this is a great place to begin
with Enclosures.

Here is an example of ​Enclosures​, ½ step above and ½ step below, being added to each note in a D minor
pentatonic scale.

Notice that I kept the same ​basic scale fingering​ that I would use without the Enclosures, and then just added the
Enclosures on top of that shape on the fretboard.

Start by learning these Enclosures in the given key, with a metronome to ​keep the rhythm steady​, and then take
them to other keys and other fingerings for any minor pentatonic scale shapes you know as you continue to develop
this sound in your practice routine.
Arpeggios With Enclosures 
You can also add Enclosures to ​arpeggios​ in the same way that you did to minor pentatonic scales.

If you are a more experienced player, and already have experience in improvising with arpeggios, then this is a great
place to start when learning how to build tension and release with your ​improvised arpeggio lines​.

Here is an example of how to apply the ½ step above and ½ step below ​Enclosure​ to each note in a two-octave G7
arpeggio.

When you have this example under your fingers, take it to all 12 keys, as well as to ​other arpeggio​s such as maj7,
m7, m7b5 and mMaj7 sounds.

Enclosure Practice Tips

After you have started exploring Enclosures over both Minor Pentatonic Scales and Arpeggios, here are ​three
exercises​ that you can use in order to take this concept further in the practice room.

● Put on a one-chord vamp backing track, such as G7, and solo over that chord using only the minor pentatonic
or related arpeggio with enclosures until you are comfortable, then change chords and keys from there.
● Put on a ii-V-I backing track and solo over those chords with the ii minor pentatonic scale, or related arpeggio
for each chord, adding enclosures to your lines. From there take this to other keys until you reach all 12.
● Put on a tune such as any major or minor blues and solo over the changes using the related minor pentatonic
scales or arpeggios, adding enclosures to your lines along the way.