The Pentatonic Scale

The Pentatonic scale is by far the most common scale used by guitarists. It's a shortened version of the 7 note Major scale you've already learned on page. The Major looked like this.

                                     The G Major Scale

  Slowly at first then faster once you master 

If we leave out the C and the F# notes we are left with a five (Penta) note scale called the G Major Pentatonic scale. It's just that simple. This scale will have a more “open” sound compared to the full Major scale. You may also notice it's a bit easier to play because it always ends up being two notes per string.

The G Major Pentatonic Scale

Slowly at first then faster once you master  

If we play these notes from G to G, G-A-B-D-E-G, it is considered the G Major Pentatonic scale.

But if we re-order these same notes from E to E, E-G-A-B-D-E, it is considered the E Minor Pentatonic scale. To play from E to E, I had to add one more E note. The E note on second fret, fourth string, to be played with second finger. This is so we can play the scale from E to E.

The E Minor Pentatonic Scale

Slowly at first then faster once you master 

The E Minor Pentatonic scale is what we will concentrate on now.

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