{"id":726,"date":"2021-11-01T15:29:21","date_gmt":"2021-11-01T22:29:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.guitareo.com\/riff\/?p=726"},"modified":"2023-03-23T16:54:54","modified_gmt":"2023-03-23T23:54:54","slug":"pentatonic-scale-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.guitareo.com\/riff\/pentatonic-scale-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide To The Pentatonic Scale On Guitar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Of all the guitar scales you\u2019ll learn, the pentatonic scale will likely become your favorite. This scale has been the basis for thousands of amazing guitar solos over the years and is the perfect tool for you to use to begin coming up with your own solos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The pentatonic scale, like almost every other scale, is derived from the major scale. \u201cPenta\u201d means five, and as you can probably guess, the pentatonic scale contains only five notes. The five notes are found by simply removing two notes from the major scale. These two notes are the fourth and the seventh notes of the scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Removing these notes changes two of the more colorful intervals in the scale so that the notes in the scale can be used more freely. This way, you don\u2019t have to worry so much about landing on an \u201coff\u201d note while improvising and soloing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p><center class=\"blue-text-block\"><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"font-size:22px;\"><b>Ready to take your skills to the next level? \ud83c\udfb8<\/b><\/h3>\n<p> Learn to play the songs you love even faster with our interactive practice tool inside the Guitareo members&#8217; area. Start your 7-day free trial today!<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"join\" href=\"\/\/www.guitareo.com\/trial\\\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"background: #00c9ac;\">TRY GUITAREO<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/center><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first two video lessons of this guide are part of a larger 12-part series called the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.guitarlessons.com\/guitar-lessons\/lead-guitar-quick-start-series\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lead Guitar Quick-Start Series<\/a>. If you\u2019d like to get into some of the other aspects of lead guitar like vibrato, bending, and other scales, it\u2019s going to be your best bet. Let\u2019s get into the first lesson about the major pentatonic scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Major Pentatonic Scale<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/guitarlessons-com\/media\/guitar-lessons\/lead-guitar-quick-start-series-1.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two main pentatonic scale shapes. One is called the major pentatonic scale and the other is called the minor pentatonic scale. The first one we\u2019ll look at is the major pentatonic scale.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The scale shape requires a little bit of dexterity since you\u2019ll be using all four of your fingers in different patterns across each string. Start off slowly and learn the shape one string at a time. Here\u2019s the full diagram for a G major pentatonic scale:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/guitarlessons-com-public.s3.amazonaws.com\/graphics\/lead-quick-start\/g-major-pent.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In case you aren\u2019t familiar with root notes, the black circles in the diagram represent the G notes within the scale. These root notes will always share the name of the scale. In this case, the root notes of a G major pentatonic scale shape are Gs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you use the root notes (black circles) as a reference for where the scale starts, then you can see that the five notes are repeated a little over two times over the span of almost two and a half octaves.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve included a jam track for you to use to play along with while practicing this scale. It helps you to better internalize the shape and makes boring exercises like learning guitar scales a lot more fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Minor Pentatonic Scale<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Minor Pentatonic Guitar Scale - Lead Guitar Lesson #5\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5wsIVHJEQJA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/guitarlessons-com\/media\/guitar-lessons\/lead-guitar-quick-start-series-2.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The second version of the pentatonic scale is the minor pentatonic. This scale shape is likely going to be the one you use the most when you get into playing guitar solos. The reason that this shape is so popular is that it\u2019s so darn simple!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The six-string shape contains only two different patterns that make it easy to get under your fingers and even easier to memorize. Here\u2019s the shape:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/guitarlessons-com-public.s3.amazonaws.com\/graphics\/lead-quick-start\/g-minor-pent.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As you can see, the minor pentatonic scale starts on the same note as the major pentatonic shape but uses a different pattern. One is made up of notes included in the key of G major, while the other is made up of notes included in the key of G minor.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Download the jam track we\u2019ve included above and practice this new scale shape along with it. You\u2019ll want to have both the major and minor pentatonic shapes down before you move onto the next part of this guide.<\/p>\n\n\n<p><iframe class=\"email-form-include-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.guitareo.com\/weekly-email\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The 5 Pentatonic Scale Shapes<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The 5 Pentatonic Scale Shapes - Guitar Lesson\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nNZP7FcuTnU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/guitarlessons-com.s3.amazonaws.com\/media\/blog\/pentatonic-shapes-no-click.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>At this point, you should know two of the five total pentatonic scale shapes. These five shapes span twelve frets before repeating and are all connected to one another.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A good way to visualize it is to think of all the places you could possibly play the five notes from the scale across the entire fretboard. If you put them all together, you\u2019d get five different shapes within twelve frets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Shape #1:<\/strong> The first shape is one you should be familiar with already. Position one of the major pentatonic scale is based on an E major shape G major chord. If you compare the scale to the chord, you can see how the shapes fit on top of one another. The scale contains all the notes from the chord and includes a few others from within the key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/guitarlessons-com.s3.amazonaws.com\/media\/blog\/5-pentatonic-1.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll find it helpful to try and visualize the chord shapes whenever you look at a scale shape. This will help you memorize the scale and also help you to see where the root notes are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Shape #2:<\/strong> For the next shape, you\u2019ll notice that it begins where shape #1 ended. Take note of the root notes in this shape, and you\u2019ll see that the scale perfectly outlines a D major shaped G major chord.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/guitarlessons-com.s3.amazonaws.com\/media\/blog\/5-pentatonic-2.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As you move from one shape to another, you should pay close attention to how each shape connects to the next. As your guitar skills grow, you\u2019ll be weaving in and out of shapes constantly and not just sticking within one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Shape #3:<\/strong> As we continue up the fretboard, we get a pentatonic shape that outlines a C major shape G major chord. Every shape is still just that same five-note scale repeating through different octaves. The G notes are still displayed as the black circles since this is still a G major pentatonic scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/guitarlessons-com.s3.amazonaws.com\/media\/blog\/5-pentatonic-3.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Shape #4:<\/strong> Here comes another shape that\u2019s easy to remember. It has only two patterns across the six strings and outlines your standard A major shape bar chord. As with the previous shapes, be sure to look at the connection points between shape #3 and shape #4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/guitarlessons-com.s3.amazonaws.com\/media\/blog\/5-pentatonic-4.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Shape #5:<\/strong> You might be wondering where that minor pentatonic scale shape fits into all of this. Well, the minor pentatonic shape is the fifth and final shape in the sequence. You\u2019ll see that it looks a little different than the G minor scale shape since it\u2019s not on the third fret. That\u2019s because that shape is a G <em>minor<\/em> and not a G <em>major<\/em>. The G major version of this shape outlines a standard G major chord.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/guitarlessons-com.s3.amazonaws.com\/media\/blog\/5-pentatonic-5.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Major &amp; Minor Pentatonic<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Depending on how much you know about music theory, you might be familiar with major and minor keys and how they relate to one another. If this is a new concept to you, then we\u2019ll give you a quick explanation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every major key has a relative minor key. This relative minor key contains the exact same seven notes as the major key it\u2019s related to. To find the relative minor key, you only need to locate the sixth note of a major scale. That sixth note is the name of the relative minor key. In the key of G major, the sixth note is an E, and if you start that same scale on the E note, you have an E minor scale. Here it is all laid out for you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>G Major Scale: <strong>G A B C D E F#<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sixth Note: <strong>E<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>E Minor Scale: <strong>E F# G B C D<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can see that both scales contain the exact same notes. This means they also contain the exact same chords. And that\u2019s why we use the term \u201crelative\u201d. This relative major and minor concept copies directly over to our pentatonic scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So your five G major pentatonic shapes are quite literally the same five shapes as the E minor pentatonic scale. The only difference is that you\u2019d consider your root notes to be the Es instead of the Gs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s an E minor pentatonic scale where you can see it\u2019s precisely the same shape and location as the fifth G major pentatonic shape:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/guitarlessons-com.s3.amazonaws.com\/media\/blog\/e-minor-pentatonic-scale.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When you play the minor pentatonic it\u2019s a good idea to emphasize the root notes of the relative minor rather than the root notes of the major. That means playing the E notes more intentionally than the G notes when you\u2019re writing your own solos, lead lines, or improvising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that\u2019s it for this guide to playing the pentatonic scale on the guitar. You now have a complete understanding of all the major and minor pentatonic shapes. This is just the tip of the lead guitar iceberg and there is plenty more out there for you to have fun with. Keep scrolling for even more guitar lessons on the pentatonic scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>More Guitar Lessons We Think You\u2019ll Love!<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.guitarlessons.com\/guitar-lessons\/lead-guitar\/pentatonic-navigation-tips\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Pentatonic Navigation Tips<\/strong><\/a><br>You know all the pentatonic shapes, but how do you tie them all together to sound like your favorite guitar players? Learn all about the connected pathways between the pentatonic scale shapes with this lesson from Nate Savage.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.guitarlessons.com\/guitar-lessons\/guitar-lessons-for-beginners\/minor-pentatonic-magic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Minor Pentatonic Magic<\/strong><\/a><br>Embark on a minor pentatonic journey with Ayla Tesler-Mabe. Learn tips and tricks for breaking out of the pentatonic box so you can improvise solos with more feeling and emotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.guitareo.com\/riff\/improvising-guitar-solos-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>A Guide To Improvising Guitar Solos<\/strong><\/a><br>Go from zero to guitar hero with this comprehensive guide on improvising guitar solos. You\u2019ll start at the very beginning with just a small scale shape, and by the end, you\u2019ll be creating your very own original solos on the fly!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Want to improve your guitar skills even faster?<\/strong> Unlock our interactive practice tool and learn from the most inspiring teachers inside the Guitareo members\u2019 area. Click the big green button below and start your 7-day free trial today:<\/p>\n\n\n<p><center><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"join\" href=\"\/\/www.guitareo.com\/trial\\\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"background: #00c9ac;\">TRY GUITAREO FOR 7 DAYS<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/center><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Of all the guitar scales you\u2019ll learn, the pentatonic scale will likely become your favorite. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":1153,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[124,26,126,122,123,121,125,132],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.guitareo.com\/riff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/726"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.guitareo.com\/riff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.guitareo.com\/riff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.guitareo.com\/riff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.guitareo.com\/riff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=726"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.guitareo.com\/riff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/726\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2719,"href":"https:\/\/www.guitareo.com\/riff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/726\/revisions\/2719"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.guitareo.com\/riff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1153"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.guitareo.com\/riff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=726"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.guitareo.com\/riff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=726"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.guitareo.com\/riff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=726"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}