Pentatonic Guitar Lesson: 'Connecting the 5 Scale Shapes' - Easy Lesson

"The Pentatonic Minor Scale"

The Pentatonic Scale is a scale consisting of 5 notes (Penta =5 in greek language, tonic = tones). There is a Minor Pentatonic Scale (which I'll show you first), and there is a Major Pentatonic Scale. You may ask why you should use a scale with such a small amount of notes. The reason is that Pentatonic Scales provide a small margin for error when you are playing over a chord progression of the chords that go with the scale. Another reason to use the scale is if you are looking to find that rock sound. Jimi Hendrix used this scale more than any other. Now, it is hard to find a rock song without pentatonics in it. B.B. King, Clapton and many others also use the Pentatonic Scale. They use the Minor Pentatonic scale for its bluesy quality.

This scale is a fairly simple introduction to scales and how scales work. It is a very commonly used scale and can be found in many popular songs, especially in classic rock, blues, hard rock, and more. Because this scale is so commonly used it is the perfect scale for you to start with.

All of these positions fit together perfectly and will always be in the same order that they are here. That means that they must always be positioned together as they are and their relation to each other will never change. To play this pentatonic minor scale in any key other than A, you would have to slide the whole note diagram up or down the neck, moving all the positions together.
The Pentatonic differs from many "traditional" scales, which often have seven (or more) notes. The fewer number of notes in the pentatonic scale can be helpful to the beginner guitarist - the scale omits some of the "trouble" notes found in traditional major and minor scales that can end up sounding wrong if not used properly.

As always start slowly and give yourself time to learn these shapes, try to find a daily practice routine because this helps more than any other advice you can get when learning such an awesome instrument as the guitar is.
See you in the next lesson. :)

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[thereasonableamericans]

FINALLY someone showed all 5 shapes connected. I suppose now that I've seen this for A minor, I can simply apply this to all shapes and chords. Still a little confusing but a good starting point.

[disboygotdabeat]

Thank you. I am new to guitar and although I had memorized the 5 scales I didn't know how to put them together and play them seemlessly. I am looking forward to your next videos about how to make actual melodies out of the combinations of the 5 scales.

[CARNY]

very helpful, exactly what i looked for

[Earthsky]

I have found that that in learning the shapes individually, when i get to around the 4th shape, i have forgotten the second and it makes me feel like i have wasted my time...I don't know whether i just need longer to remember the patterns individually or whether i need to exercise in doing two shapes at a time as you have shown...I think my memorization of the shapes will improve with the exercise you have shown, so again, many thanks.

[VIP-Guitar]

Slow it down and repeat very often to where you make absolutely no mistakes, then increase the speed slowly.
You have to know that it's all about muscle memory. When you play something flawless at the slowest speed 5 to 10 times in a row, then it will also work without problems at double or even triple speed. "It will happen" Have fun!

[mrcucui]

I believe the first position is the G shape. Then E shape for 2. then D shape for 3. Would it be C shape for for and A shape for 5?

[David-scrs]

Your voice sounds like, (Germany) DB train announcement Voice.. are you the same guy??