Minor Pentatonic Scales in the CAGED System

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This video is a good starting point for people who want to understand how to solo all over the neck.

This lesson talks a little about the G Shaped pentatonic scale but it also goes into depth on what a pentatonic scale is compared to a major scale. Useful for understanding why the major and minor pentatonic scale are basically the same thing. I’ll have to do a more in depth lesson on major and minor scales and why the pentatonic scales are so important for guitar players.

This helps you understand how major scales are made and how they map out to the guitar. Again, I’ll have to go more in depth in later videos about the relation between major, minor and all other scales, but hopefully this set of lessons will get you going on soloing and understanding guitar better.

Jam tracks used in this video:

12:59 THAT NOTE OUTSIDE THE SHAPE:
Yep. I played a note or two outside the shape. The pentatonic scales are like a scaffolding - a foundational structure to build more information into as needed. Eventually I’ll get into modes, full scales, harmonic and melodic minor scales that fit nicely around these basic shapes, but in the mean time you can do a LOT with just the pentatonic scales. I made a video about this situation called
But I need to dive way deeper into this subject in future videos. It all has to do with how the CAGED shapes interact with music theory and its a truly beautiful concept but it will take me a while to get that series going.

Guitar is such a cool complex instrument - the more you understand it, the more you understand music theory and the more you understand music theory the easier it is to understand the guitar. The CAGED system explains how the guitar is laid out. In my opinion, you can’t really avoid the CAGED system when you’re playing just about anything on the guitar and hopefully in future videos I can really drive a lot of concepts home. For this lesson, I thought I would keep it simple and just show how the Major and Minor pentatonic scales are really the same scale with different root notes.

If you’d like to donate, please visit my Ko-fi page for a one-time or recurring donation. Your donation will help me take time away from my day job to spend more time making these videos.

Thanks for watching and happy practicing!

[charliesexton]

All I see in the comments is praise and it still feels like this man has not received enough praise for these videos, mindblowingly good! Has helped me soooo much

[sdlatson]

This is literally the only channel I've ever actually hit the "notification bell" for.

Edit: Gotta love that the only channel I've ever followed this closely, immediately moved over to Patreon, and put everything behind a pay-wall.

[marianosaab]

It took me like a year to learn this in a piecemeal fashion with different teachers. You summed it all up in 15 minutes. They say you never stop learning guitar, but if someone ever asked me how to, I'd say check this video and you'll be on the right track. THANK YOU! You are a phenomenal teacher.

[Darklord]

Scott. You've explained in 22 minutes what I've been trying to get my head around for 22 years!
Massive thanks! 🤘🏻

[Tommixist]

This is simply the best channel for learning the guitar I've ever seen. Teriffic work!

[antonbegley]

Honestly, I remember being in a rut with my playing after over a decade of playing the same songs and being self taught. I stumbled on Scott’s video detailing the caged system and had my lightbulb moment! I couldn’t believe it. One of the best out there on the internet for learning the guitar.

[ncwb]

Most visually produced guitar tutorial I know on youtube, enables me to see how the guitar functions and it's dynamics.
Gonna do a small donation since its the season of giving

[amber_guitar]

One of the best guitar teachers on YouTube the camera on your guitar makes it so easy to learn because I can visualize what your teaching and the editing is supreme. 🙏🙏🎶🎶👍

[Bastimon]

I really enjoy your videos, especially the care that goes into making them. The guitar camera, the graphical overlays, the well-prepared explanations. It's really refreshing in a world full of slapped together "oh yeah, I didn't tidy up my room but here's a scale for you" videos. Happy holidays to you man.

[Darrenbrown]

Scott, I've been performing & writing as a solo artist for almost 30 years. I never stop learning and am always looking for new inspirations. You have definitely inspired me and opened my eyes to harmonies and grooves I can add to my music that will open more avenues of creativity. You are seriously a gem and have serious talent in expressing what you teach. That is a true quality. I can't wait to watch and save all your videos. I even got something from your Pentatonic video...& you're right, it was the first thing i learned. But, the ABAC and parts like writing a song has totally got me thinking about new ways to create! Thanks for again for the videos. You deserve much praise and $$. You are definitely one I will donate to.(And, I never have before). Keep them coming.

[mrentertainer]

I've spent years with many books plus other video lessons - and you have nailed it for me in just this one video. Thanks for your clear and visually explicit format for understanding the guitar fretboard. Absolutely brilliant!

[yinx]

I've been watching guitar instructors on YouTube for years yet never saw this information before. Let alone have it presented in such way. Your creativeness in producing these videos combined with your knowledge about music and skills with the guitar... it literally makes you unmatched. Thanks for all your work!

[TheHollywoodFarmers]

You are the least annoying YouTube gueetar teacher available...kudos brother. You are actually quite calming and instructive:)

[Sean-ykyk]

i can't thank you enough. i was really curious about music theory and how people made some fun solos and stuff. now i am really getting into it! i am actually learning something about music and it makes me feel so good!! thank you for being here!!!

[t.huto]

I started learning guitar 4 months ago and after all those major and minor chords strumming I came across Pentatonic.I am glad to know that even if I had begun my practice 3 years ago this video would have enlightened me the same way it did today.I am very grateful and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart

[rhyanztv]

Probably this is the most comprehensive lesson I've watched, While watching you can also feel that you're the one playing it and probably soon you can play it by yourself because he made it easy to understand. Video editing is also nice. To all who are still watching and new to his channel please watch all his videos, he is a totally amazing man of guitarist! Please publish more of your talent to help us guitar enthusiasts to bring our guitar playing to the next level. Thank You so much 🥰

[JunkYour]

This is the best video on pentatonic on the web. I love how you overlay the patterns on the fretboard with the split window showing the particulars of the shape. Bravo!

[guitarmanatee]

I know it's been said before, but I don't understand how this channel doesn't have more traffic. Your lessons are so incredibly helpful. I hope you're safe and can continue after this covid terror ends.

[MrRobertotim]

Guitar is just like maths, people find it hard to learn because it is taught and explained the wrong way so it becomes difficult to learn but in this channel every lesson is simplified to nursery school level thanks to the ghost notes You will never get any better explanation of the CAGED system like in this video, thanks a bunch, bless

[ryanmullaney]

I absolutely love your teaching style, if I ever come into any money I'm donating a good portion of it to your channel. You've taught me more in two combined videos (pentatonic "map" and this one), about 30 minutes, than I've learned in 11 years of noodling. Thank you so much!!!