PENTATONIC POSSIBILITIES: What Is The Best Scale For Your Solo, Major or Minor?

The pentatonic minor and major scales are really a thing a beauty. They work incredibly well as a lead-playing device, in many different circumstances. This video demonstrates several different chord progressions, keys, and tonalites, and compares the effects of pentatonic major versus minor in them.

The result might be unexpected depending on your understanding of theory. Hopefully by the end of this video, you will have a better idea of when you can and can't (or should and shouldn't) be rocking out in one of these scales.

A few things to note- when adding a b3 to a major chord like we talk about here, it's best to refer to it as a #9. Chords and keys shouldn't mix thirds, but it's okay to have an augmented ninth or second as a color tone.

Also, I'm never happy with my improvising and there's quite a bit of it in this video. But I did really enjoy the way the blues sections came out for this video, I stumbled across just the right settings in my DAW to get a killer tone that has eluded me for a long time. I think that inspired some of the tastier playing I've got to show off on this channel.

Thanks to my AMAZING PATREON SUBSCRIBERS for supporting the production of these videos. A special thank you to the following members:

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Table of Contents:
00:00 Intro
00:57 Example 1
03:28 Example 2
05:05 Example 3
07:19 Example 4
09:37 Example 5
11:07 Example 6
13:23 Example 7
15:18 Wrapping Up

[cassl]

this dude is an underrated ‘youtube musician’

[TheJabernet]

"Choose, but choose wisely" LOL, that says it all Brother.

[jamescurtis]

Dang man your ability to relay information is incredible. I really love your channel bc it's informative without being condescending, it's visually educational and bc it's genuinely entertaining.

Please don't stop creating good stuff for us.

[JYelton]

Incredibly helpful. Seriously, your comparisons and explanations are extremely well done. Thanks _so_ much!

[RCSmiths]

The Pentatonic Scale may be so limiting, but I think that's a part of its charm; it's incredible and versatile in any genre, and can sound so amazing with the right tones. Awesome work man

[SuvradipDasPhotographyOfficial]

This is the best channel for guitar players, music composers and theories which no one ever explains

[MrZachalewel]

I remember when you only had 26k subs. Amazing job Jake!

[moistness]

Hi Jake and everyone else, hope you have a good day 🙂

[ckjjclan]

Brilliant... I rely LOVE the "in context" demonstrations with PREPARED background tracks (not just a quick loop pedal backing)... it helps me hear what you are saying in a context I'm wanting to play in... thank you for taking the time to put this out there!

[sashanicholson]

Jake! You good sir are an inspiration to hundreds of thousands. I know you get a zillion glowing comments like this, but I just gotta say: I never felt confident that I could write music. Then I discovered your channel and it's not an exaggeration to say it's changed my life. And beyond the creative inspiration your videos provide, without fail they re-energize me whenever I'm discouraged or frustrated. Thank you so much for all you do for us!

[Peter-byox]

Angus young is great example of how to shift between Major and Minor for soloing. Great vid, great channel thanks man !!

[michaeltellurian]

There were a couple of times there when you were mixing the two and it sounded like Clapton and Santana, and it occurred to me that you were explaining their process. Great tutorial!

[kenyoung]

Best channel on Youtube. You demonstrate a rare combination of skills. Born of the 90s grunge scene, I never paid much attention to theory until picking my guitar back up after having gone 10 years without playing. If I'd have had access to these priceless classes, I probably would never have put the axe down to begin with!


You are making the world a better place by helping to give it better guitar players.

Thank you, sincerely

[armanpgrigorian]

I literally just watched the country video where you mentioned the clashing of major/minor thirds and I love how you tie in ideas from other videos. Quality content brother 🤘🏻

[solaristologist]

I wish i could afford to be your patron Jake, your videos have filled in huge gaps in my knowledge and gotten me on a way better path to creating my own music, and for my wife too when i inevitably regurgitate a videos content during practice.

Its really awesome stuff mate! This content is absolutely 24k solid gold

[divineheretic]

Of all the music lessons on YouTube, hands down this dude is the easiest to understand without getting completely overwhelmed. I’ve been playing bass/guitar for 20+ years. However just a few select videos of this guy and I feel like I’ve learned more on from these videos than everything I’ve learned on my own/from friends.

[Guitarplayer]

That major pentatonic playing is definitely Allman Brothers “ish” and throw in some Marshall Tucker too! Great video Jake!

[rome]

Thank you for talking about "bad solo territory." I hear so many solos by "great" guitarists that are basically just fast noodling on the minor pentatonic. They don't show any understanding of how to play over chord changes. It's like they learned how to solo on one scale and never progressed beyond that.

[magedabulsouod]

Greetings from Egypt Jake!
I just can't emphasize enough on how much you've made a difference in my guitar playing, THANK YOU for doing these AWESOME videos, you always find a way to help me out with the difficulties I'm facing with acoustics and music theory. So much love headed your way!

[marendenison]

I loved the improv! Such a good player and teacher. Your examples helped me pinpoint what some of my favorite bands sound like.