Pentatonic Scales

The Western, or Classical, musical tradition uses the major scale as a building block. It is made up of 7 notes. Other musical traditions use different building blocks, including various scales.

One of these is the Pentatonic Scale, which only has 5 degrees (Penta means 5 in Greek).

There are different pentatonic scales. The most common to our ears is built by using only these 5 degrees of the Major Scale: I - II - III - V - VI

By learning fingering patterns for this pentatonic scale, you will be able to play a decent solo over Rock or Blues changes.

Following are two of the easier pentatonic scale fingerings (based on minor scale fingerings previously introduced):

 

 

EXAMPLE: Starting on the 5th fret, above left is C pentatonic scale (= A pentatonic minor) ; above right is F pentatonic scale (= D pentatonic minor).

See the section “Improvising and Solo Playing” for fun uses of the pentatonic scale.