Pentatonic Scales
A pentatonic scale is a 5-note scale derived from the major scale. The five notes of the pentatonic
scale create five pentatonic forms that connect together like jigsaw puzzle pieces on the neck of the
guitar. Many players know some of the forms but don’t understand how they connect together. This
lesson shows you how these scales connect together so you can play any pentatonic scale
anywhere on the neck.
C Major Scale
The major scale has 7 notes. Here is the C major scale.
C Pentatonic Scale
The pentatonic scale has 5 notes – hence the name “pentatonic”.
The pentatonic scale is a subset of the major scale and uses the first, second, third, fifth and sixth
steps of the major scale. The pentatonic scale omits the 4th and the 7th step of the major scale.
Relative Major and Minor Roots
There is a special relationship between the first and sixth steps of the major scale which is called
RELATIVE.
The first step of the major scale is called the RELATIVE MAJOR.
The sixth step is called the RELATIVE MINOR.
So, a major scale can be made starting on the 1st step, and a minor scale can be made by using the
same set of notes starting on the 6th step.
It’s two scales that share the same key signature.
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Relative
Major Root
Relative
Minor Root
The Five Pentatonic Forms
Since there are five notes in a pentatonic scale, there are five different forms that we can use to play
the scale on guitar – each starting on a different note.
Below are the five forms of a C major pentatonic scale which can also be used to form an A minor
pentatonic scale. (The diamond indicates the major root and the circle is the minor root.)
1st Form 2nd Form 3rd Form
5th Form
4th Form 5th Form
1st Form
2nd Form
3rd Form
Pentatonic Forms Connect Together
The pentatonic forms connect together on the guitar neck 4th Form
like puzzle pieces – with one side of a form sharing the
same side as the next one.
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Common Pentatonic Patterns
Here are some common pentatonic patters played on guitar. 1st Form
These patterns are shown using pentatonic form #1
– but they can be applied to the other forms as well.
Directions: Practice each pattern – slowly at first, then gradually
increase your speed. Then, play the patterns in different keys
and places on the neck.
Finally, apply them to all of the five pentatonic forms.
Pattern #1 (Sets of 4)
Pattern #2 (Sets of 3)
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Pattern #3 (3 Pairs)
Tips for Successful Learning
Learn the Forms First.
Get the five pentatonic forms underneath your fingers first. Learn the finger patterns. A good way to
learn these scales is to take one form and play it ascending and then descending. Thenshift up a
half step and play it again. Continue working your way up the neck until you run out of neck to play
the form, then come back down descending.
Practice that for a few days then take the next pentatonic form and work on it ascending and
descending – occasionally working on the first form to keep it in your memory.
Keep doing this until all forms are learned.
Speed Will Only Come After You Know the Forms.
Don’t try to play faster until you are confident in playing each form by memory. Speed comes as
you develop the muscle memory needed to play the pentatonic patterns confidently.
Solo Using the Notes of the Scale – Not the Scale Itself.
Think of these scales and finger patterns as letters and words that you are going to use to say what
you want to say musically. Simply playing through the finger patterns does not make a good solo.
Spend some time being creative with them. Experiment with starting on a note in the middle of the
form or try to skip around on the notes. Try to create a melodic idea and develop it. That’s what
soloing is about.
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Pentatonic Scales Workout 1st Form
st
1 Pentatonic Form Minor Root ---->
• Review Form
• Exercise 1: Play C/Am Ascending & Descending
• Exercise 2: Play Bb Major Ascending & Descending
• Exercise 3: Play Eb Major Ascending & Descending
• Exercise 4: Play in F Minor Ascending & Descending Major Root ---->
2nd Form
2nd Pentatonic Form
• Review Form
• Exercise 5: Play C/Am Ascending & Descending
• Exercise 6: Move to other keys
• Exercise 7: Play G Major Ascending & Descending
3rd, 4th, & 5th Pentatonic Forms
• Review Forms
• Play Ascending & Descending
3rd Form 4th Form 5th Form
Common Pentatonic Patterns (Shown on pages 3-4)
• Exercise 8: Play Pattern 1 (Sets of 4) in C/Am
• Exercise 9: Play Pattern 2 (Sets of 3) in C/Am
• Exercise 10: Play Pattern 3 (3 Pairs) in C/Am
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Connecting Pentatonic Patterns in C/Am
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Connecting Pentatonic Patterns in Fm/Ab
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The Blues Scale
A BLUES SCALE is derived from the major scale. Some notes are added, and some notes are
adjusted.
Step 1) To form a blues scale, add the flatted third and the flatted fifth step to the major scale.
Step 2) Adjust the seventh step of the major scale down a half step to form a flatted seventh.
The flatted third, fifth, and seventh would be called the BLUES NOTES.
C Major Scale
C Blues Scale
Blues Notes
h h h
The Blues Scale and the Minor Pentatonic Scale
The C MINOR PENTATONIC scale already includes all but one of the blues notes.
So, an easy way to sound bluesy is to play the minor pentatonic form.
Blues Notes
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The Minor Pentatonic Scale with Added Flatted 5th
If you want to add the remaining blues note – the flatted fifth- you need to add one extra note to the
form.
Pentatonic 1st Form
C Minor Pentatonic Scale with Added Blues Note with Added Blues Note
8fr.
Pentatonic Forms with Blues Notes
Here are the five forms based on an A minor pentatonic (A-C-D-E-G) with the added flatted 5th blues
note (Eb) to form a six-note scale (A-C-D-Eb-E-G-A).
1st Form 2nd Form 3rd Form 4th Form 5th Form
Pentatonic Scales with Blues Notes Workout
1st Blues Pentatonic Form
• Review 1st Form
• Exercise 1: Play Am/C Blues Pentatonic
• Exercise 2: Play Bbm/Db Blues Pentatonic
• Exercise 3: Play Dm/F Blues Pentatonic
• Exercise 4: Play Fm/Ab Blues Pentatonic
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Pentatonic Blues Forms in Am
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Other Blues Pentatonic Forms
• Review 2nd Form in Am/C
• Review 3rd Form
• Review 4th Form
• Review 5th Form
12 Bar Blues Chord Progression
• Measures 1-4: The I Chord
• Measures 5-6: The IV Chord
• Measures 7-8: The I Chord
• Measure 9: The V Chord
• Measure 10: The IV Chord
• Measure 11: The I Chord
• Measure 12: The V Chord (to turn around the progression again)
Blues Chord Progression
• Say and Play Blues Progression in C
• Blues Progression in A
• Blues Progression in E
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