What is the pentatonic scale?
A pentatonic scale has five notes per octave. Because it leaves out the two notes that clash most easily, almost every note sounds good over the matching chords, which is why it is the first scale most guitarists learn for soloing.
- Minor pentatonic formula: 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7. In A: A, C, D, E, G.
- Major pentatonic formula: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6. In C: C, D, E, G, A.
A minor pentatonic and C major pentatonic contain exactly the same five notes. They are relative scales: the same notes with a different home note. Red dots in the diagrams below are the root.
A minor pentatonic scale: box 1
Box 1 is the shape to learn first. Put your first finger on the 5th fret of the low E string (the note A). Every string has two notes.
All 5 minor pentatonic shapes
The five shapes link together across the neck: the top notes of one box are the bottom notes of the next. Learn them one at a time and play each one up and down slowly.
E minor pentatonic scale (open position)
In E the first shape uses open strings, which makes E minor pentatonic the easiest version to play: E, G, A, B and D. It is box 1 moved down to the nut.
Major pentatonic scale on guitar
G major pentatonic (G, A, B, D, E) shares its notes with E minor pentatonic. This shape, with the root on the 3rd fret of the low E string, has a bright country and pop sound.
The blues scale
Add one note, the ♭5, to the minor pentatonic and you get the blues scale: 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7. In A that is A, C, D, E♭, E and G. Use the ♭5 as a passing note rather than a note to rest on.
How to start soloing with the pentatonic
- Play box 1 slowly with alternate picking until it feels automatic.
- Over an A minor backing track, start and end your phrases on the root, A.
- Use three or four notes at a time and repeat short phrases, rather than running the whole scale.
- Add a bend: the D on the G string (7th fret) bent up a whole step to E sounds instantly like rock and blues.
Going further: how to improvise on guitar, rock guitar lessons and blues guitar lessons.
Free PDF
Guitar Scales Chart
All five minor pentatonic boxes, the blues scale, the major pentatonic and two major scale patterns.