Pentatonic scales are an essential skill for any guitar player. They are almost always a good first bet when playing a guitar solo, and are an essential building block for becoming a complete guitar player. This is the second part in a series of lessons on the major and minor pentatonic scales for guitar. If you haven’t caught the lesson on 6th string pentatonic scales yet, click here. Once you’re comfortable using your major and minor Pentatonic scales starting on the 6th string, it’s a good idea to learn a new scale pattern. Learning the pentatonic scales on the 5th string will give you new options for playing in different keys, and because the finger pattern is different these new scale shapes will help you develop new musical ideas. The 5th string pattern will also make it more comfortable to play in certain keys that weren’t easy to reach on the 6th string (like E, or F). In this lesson you will learn how to play the major and minor pentatonic scales starting on the 5th string. We will look at suggested finger patterns and learn the scale tone numbers for both of these scales. We will also learn how to move the scale patterns around the neck so you can improvise in any key with confidence. What You Need To Know First:If you aren’t familiar with the pentatonic scales starting on the 6th string, click here to get caught up. This lesson builds on the ideas covered in that one, so it is important for you to learn those scale patterns first. If you’re already familiar with pentatonic scales, it’s time to jump in with this lesson! Movable Scale ShapesThese scale patterns are movable, so if you learn the note names along the 5th string, you can play in any major or minor key. Natural and flat notes on the 5th string:Natural and sharp notes on the 5th string:To play your pentatonic scale in the key of C, start your scale on the note C. 5th string, 3rd fret. To play your pentatonic scale in the key of F, start your scale on the note F. 5th string, 8th fret. You can play in any key by changing the starting note of your scale pattern. Major Pentatonic Scale - 5th String Form
Major Pentatonic Scale TonesThe major pentatonic scale uses the following scale tones: 1 (root), 2, 3, 5, and 6. The numbers tell you how far away from the root a note is. (1 is the root, each larger number is farther above the root) Once you’re comfortable playing the major pentatonic scale, try saying the scale tones out loud as you practice. This will help you start to connect your ears with your fingers, making it easier to play melodies in major keys that you hear on recordings, or in your own head. Minor Pentatonic Scale - 5th String Form
Minor Pentatonic Scale TonesThe minor pentatonic scale uses the following scale tones: 1 (root), b3, 4, 5, and b7. The numbers tell you how far away from the root a note is. (1 is the root, each larger number is farther above the root) Once you’re comfortable playing the minor pentatonic scale, try saying the scale tones out loud as you practice. Start out by saying the flat before the b3 and the b7 - eventually you will memorize the fact that the minor pentatonic scale has a flat 3rd and a flat 7th. This will help you start to connect your ears with your fingers, making it easier to play melodies in minor keys that you hear on recordings, or in your own head. Things To Think AboutPentatonic Scales are an important tool for improvising guitar solos on guitar, and they are a foundational technique that will make other skills easier to learn down the line. Take your time and make sure you get the right finger pattern for both of these scales. Saying the scale tones out loud as you practice will help you start to develop your ear in connection with these scale patterns, and make it easier to learn melodies you hear on recordings, or in your head. These scales are movable, so if you learn the note names on the 6th string, you can play in any major or minor key. Keep practicing, and contact me to let me know how it's going for you, and if I can help you out. Guitar Lessons In Portland Or OnlineWhether you're just getting started with guitar as a new hobby or you're a serious student looking to improve your skills, taking guitar lessons with a good teacher is the best way to make sure you get what you're looking for. You can learn guitar with me at my home studio in Portland Oregon, or online with one on one video chat lessons. Your guitar lessons will help you get the practical, hands-on advice that you need to play the music you really want to play on your guitar. Contact me today to learn more and schedule your first lesson!
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