By definition, the pentatonic scale is a five notes scale. It contrasts with the classic diatonic scale, which is heptatonic (= seven notes e.g. C Major Scale: C, D, E, F, G, A, B)
Because the pentatonic scales have fewer notes, the distance between each is bigger (no semitones) and makes it far more stable than the diatonic scale.
Just like the diatonic scale, the pentatonic exists in both Major and Minor:
The pentatonic scales are very popular because they are easy to remember and use. On a guitar, there are “only” 5 different patterns possible; you can learn them all, but one is usually enough until you feel the need for more – we will also discuss techniques you can use so you can play across the whole fretboard without having to remember them.
A tool for lead guitar: solos and improvisations
If you wonder why you should bother learning those – you might change your mind if I tell you that there is a great chance that most of the riffs and solos you know and wish to reproduce are based on pentatonic scales.
After reading that post, you should be able to perform your own solos and improvisations on a backing track, listen to your favorite song, or with a band. That should keep you busy for the years to come!
The basic idea is that most of the songs are written in a specific key, and that key usually doesn’t change. You can search Youtube for a backing track in A, use ANY NOTE of the A major pentatonic scale and it will sound great. Try it!
A song in a specific key doesn’t mean it has just one chord – for example, in the key of E, you would most likely hear those chords: F#m, G#m, A, B, C#m, or a D#dim (more info on the ‘some harmony’ lesson). If that’s the case (e.g. Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey – cf. chords below), the song is in the key of E and you can play any note of the E major pentatonic scale over it.
Another option is to play the corresponding pentatonic for each chord… way more complex, and you have to know the chords! but in theory, you can solo with the E major pentatonic when the E chord is being played, the B major pentatonic when B is played, the C# minor pentatonic when you hear the C#m etc. that sounds impossible for now but when you’ll be able to play the scale without even thinking it will feel more realistic.
Pro-Tip: I would stick to the key for now BUT if you like challenges, you might notice for example that B is one of the notes in the E pentatonic (B is the fifth of E) – so for a song in the key of E, when comes a B chord, playing around that B note sounds more satisfying. Play around, experiment!
ok but… How to find the key for a random song? That’s a great question and it’s SUPER EASY:
- Turn on the radio (by radio I mean Youtube, Spotify, you ask Alexa, whatever you do to listen to your favorite music)
- Grab your guitar
- Play the low E string – does it sound great with the song?
- if yes: the song is most likely in the key of E!
- if not: try the first fret (i.e. F) – does it sound right? yes? the song’s key is probably F
- still not? try all the notes until you find the one that feels like home
Major Pentatonic
Below, the five different patterns for the A Major pentatonic scale: the root in pink, the third in green, the fifth in blue (no need to focus on the intervals, try to keep sight of the root at least)
1st pattern
2nd Pattern
It’s important to notice that all patterns are connected – the end of the 1st one here (fret #6 and #7) is exactly the beginning of the 2nd one. That’s true for every pattern.
3rd Pattern
4th Pattern
5th Pattern
Fret #2 is the same as Fret #14 just one octave lower, but you can play the pattern at the 14th Fret too.
If we combine all those, it’s a bit overwhelming – but here it is if you don’t believe me 🙂
Minor Pentatonic
Spoiler alert – the minor and major patterns are the same. * sigh of relief * You don’t have to learn new patterns but as you can imagine, they don’t work exactly the same way.
It makes sense if you look at how they are built; just rotating the circle reveals the same repeating intervals -> 1 tone, 1 tone, 1.5 tones, 1 tone, 1.5 tones, 1, 1, 1.5, 1, 1.5, 1, 1, 1.5, 1, 1.5, 1 etc…
Let’s look at the pattern again with the A scale. Below is the A minor pentatonic scale:
1st Pattern
The 1st minor pattern is what we call the 5th major pattern. If we compare to #1 major pattern: the root can’t change and is still A, but the 3rd is now minor (m3), then P4, P5 (same place), m7, and back to the root
2nd Pattern
The 2nd pattern for the minor scale is the #1 of the major one
3rd pattern
4th pattern
5th pattern
And now everything:
What did you learn?
How to play notes over a chord (aka soloing)
Why is it important?
This is the best way to express yourself with the instrument. You can now “sing” with your guitar and exploring the possibilities here can keep you busy for the rest of your life.