How to Play the Major Pentatonic Scale on the Guitar

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Okay, so in this lesson, we’re going to learn about pentatonic scales, specifically the major pentatonic scale. And if you already know your major scales; then you almost already know your major pentatonic scale because all we’re going to do is a two notes out of the scale and those 2 notes are the fourth and the seventh scale degree. So let me show you what I am talking about. If you’re playing a regular G major scale.

[Demonstration]

That’s one, two, three, four, five, six seven, we’re going to leave out four and seven. We leave out four, five, six and leave out seven. So that’s the shape we have. So let’s learn this string by string now that you know how the pentatonic scale is actually made, the three behind it and just concentrate on the shape and get that under your fingers.

So, middle finger, third fret, pinky, fifth fret, next string over you’re A string. Your index finger is going to get your second fret, pinky is going to grab the 5th fret, next string over the D string. Index finger is going to get the second fret, fifth fret is going to give your pinky right there. Next string over the G string, you are going to grab the second fret with your first finger and the next note is the fourth fret with your ring finger. Going over to the B string, play the third fret with your middle finger, then the fifth fret with your pinky and the same exact thing on the last E string. Middle finger is going to grab the third, Pinky is going to grab the fifth fret. So that altogether is this right here.

[Demonstration]

Back down.

[Demonstration]

So one thing you want to remember when you are playing a pentatonic scale is you’re only going to have 2 notes per string so you’re picking is going to be a little bit different feeling than it would be if you are playing a major scale which is almost always three per string. So just be real conscious of your alternate picking, pick down, up, go to the next string, down, up, next string, down, up. So just think about that.

[Demonstration]

And if you want to go hear some really good players that use pentatonic scales a lot, check out Eric Johnson and some of his recording. He has a lot of really good ideas for pentatonic scales.


Transcription by: Scribe4you Transcription Services