1. 5 basic forms for these. By: F. Markovich
Pentatonic Scales
5 basic forms for these.
By: F. Markovich

2. What is a Pentatonic Scale?
Penta means five. A pentatonic scale is a 5 note scale as it’s simplest definition.
Unlike 7 tone scales which are called diatonic scales (step – wise). Major scales are diatonic scales. Also the modes are diatonic scales.
The black keys on a piano are a pentatonic scale. It is hard to play a bad note using the black keys only on a piano.
Pentatonic scales used properly will produce a consonant line but if over used can be boring. You must go beyond just the scale. Remember to use chord tones also.

3. Uses
Pentatonic scales are used in all forms of music. Even complex music such as jazz will use pentatonic scales.
Blues uses mainly the minor pentatonic but depending upon the player and tune major pentatonic scales are also used.
Major pentatonic scales are used extensively in country music.
Just listen to the sound and identify the scale in songs that you like.
There are really 5 pentatonic scale forms. This makes it easy to use.
They are even used in classical music by composers such as Ravel and Debussy

4. Major Pentatonic Scales
The formula is the 1,2,3,5 and 6 of the major scale. Notice no 4th or 7th degree from the major scale.
For those who have learned the CAGED system these are all based off of the CAGED major scale forms.
There is some suggested fingering but it can vary.

5. Here is the D Major Pentatonic based upon the C Major Form of CAGED.
Note in Green is the root.

6. See relationship between D major scale and D major Pentatonic.

7. Here is the C Major Pentatonic scale in the A form.

8. You could also use 1 and 3 as fingering on the 1st 2 strings.

9. This is the G Major Pentatonic scale (E form of the CAGED)
This is the G Major Pentatonic scale (E form of the CAGED). Notice how similar to the A form (C Major pentatonic on the last page.

10. Most players use a modified fingering for the
Major pentatonic scale as shown below but
a fingering of 2 and 4 on the 2nd string and 2 on the
1st string is also common.

11. Compare these 2 the E form and the A form.

12. A Major Pentatonic – G form of the CAGED

14. Notice the G and C forms of the pentatonic scale are very similar
Notice the G and C forms of the pentatonic scale are very similar. Key is the tuning of the guitar with the 2nd to 3rd strings being a 3rd rather than a 4th appart.

16. One note on this. I find it easier to do the fingering shown on the E Major Pentatonic and it is different than on the E Major Scale. It affords the player to just move one finger out of the position.

17. Go through these until perfect
Practice these every day.
Next we will see the relationships to the minor pentatonic scales.
The 6th degree of a major scale is the relative minor. For example: C major has the relative minor of A minor. C D E F G A

18. Minor Pentatonic Scales
The formula for these is: 1 b3, 4, 5, b7.
Key is to see these as related to the major pentatonic scale.
With the addition on one note they become Blues Scales.

19. Here is the first of the minor pentatonic scales
Here is the first of the minor pentatonic scales. What does it look like in relation to
the major pentatonic scales?

20. Here you can see the D major and the B minor pentatonic scales.
Notice that the form is the same only the starting note is different.

21. Here is the A Minor pentatonic related to the C major (A form)
Another fingering is shown on the next slide. Either fingering is fine to do.

22. Here is the A Minor pentatonic related to the C major (A form)

23. F# Minor pentatonic related to the A Major (G Form).

24. E minor pentatonic related to the G major
E minor pentatonic related to the G major. Here you can see how the relative minor is the 6th note of the major scale (don’t forget the pentatonic is missing the 4th and 7th notes of a major scale.
Again on this you could play 1 and 3 on the 2nd string and 1 on the 1st string.

25. C# minor pentatonic related to the E major pentatonic (D form of CAGED).

26. Blues Scales From Minor Pentatonic Scales
All that is added is the b5 of the scale.
When playing solos this note most often resolves to the 5th or downward to the 4th. While it can do a skip that is less likely.

27. B blues is like the B minor with just the added b5 of the scale.

28. See the added notes. Note the alternate fingering for the A
Minor Pentatonic Scale.

32. Lots here
This is just the forms, next you will need to work with them.
On the minor pentatonic scales the flat 3rd is many times bent up to the major 3rd in Blues licks unless the song is in minor. Learn where the flat 3rd is in each scale.
It will take some time to master these. Work on them every day.

33. Some examples
Any time there is a major chord you can use the major pentatonic scale of the same letter name.
Any time there is a minor chord you can use the minor pentatonic scale of the same letter name.
Any 7th or dominant chord you can use the major pentatonic scale. Most of the time you can also use the minor pentatonic scale.
In Jazz you can be more adventuresome.

34. Minor Pentatonic Scales In Jazz

35. Try these for yourself
Play a chord and record it then apply the pentatonic to it.
Some take a bit of time to get used to it.
Then try progressions and see if you can find a pentatonic scale that would go against the progression.