Pentatonic Scales
The Pentatonic scale is a 5 note scale.
Penta being the Greek word for 5.
The Major Pentatonic consists of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th notes of the
major scale.
On the piano there are 5 black keys and these make a pentatonic scale.
MAJOR SCALE REVIEW:
There are 7 notes in any major scale. In the G major scale the notes below are:
G A B C D E F#
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
To make the pentatonic scale we we remove the 2 tension-creating notes which
are the 4th and the 7th, The 5 notes that remain make the pentatonic scale. By
removing these 2 notes, you get a very stable-sounding scale. All the notes of
the G Pentatonic scale fit the G chord as well as many of the other chords in the
key of G. Take a look at the notes once again without the 4th and 7th.
G A B D E
1 2 3 5 6
Why is the scale called the PentaTonic. We know there are only 5 notes so that
is why the Penta. (Greek for 5) But what about Tonic.
When you play the notes of a pentatonic scale there is almost the sense that
there is no tonic note, or home-base note because the scale just sort of rambles
up and down never seeming to go anywhere, musically-speaking.
If you have access to a piano try playing only black keys in any sequence.
It almost seems to have 5 Tonic notes. Playing up and down the scale, you'll
notice that the Pentatonic Scale has almost an Eastern quality.
Pentatonic Scales Notation
C Major Lower Octave
C Major Higher Octave
C Minor Lower Octave
C Major Higher Octave
A Major Lower Octave
A Major Higher Octave
A Minor Lower Octave
A Major Higher Octave
G Major Lower Octave
G Major Higher Octave
G Minor Lower Octave
G Major Higher Octave
E Major Lower Octave
E Major Higher Octave
E Minor Lower Octave
E Major Higher Octave
D Major Lower Octave
D Major Higher Octave
D Minor Lower Octave
D Major Higher Octave
The Five Forms of the Pentatonic Scale
The guitar is setup in standard tuning in such a way that there are 5 basic chord
and scales.
The 5 forms can be found in the open chords:
C Major
A Major
G Major
E Major
D Major
From these 5 shapes we can take out the 4th and 7th notes and get the 5 basic
Pentatonic
scale forms. You can also find the Minor Pentatonic forms in these 5 positions or
forms.
In the diagram below you will find both major and minor Pentatonic scale forms
For each of the 5 positions/forms.
The 5 forms can be slid up and down the Fretboard depending on which key you
use.
For example in the first diagram we see the D Major pentatonic scale. Played at
the 5th Fret. If we move the form up to the 7th Fret we have the E Major
Pentatonic scale.
A more in depth set of lessons can be found on the Ultimate Fretboard DVD.
http://www.guitar5day.com/tufg.html
Note: the following images - the Root Notes are
Red/Orange.
Here is the C Form of the D Major Pentatonic:
Here is the C Form of the D Minor Pentatonic:
Here is the A Form of the D Major Pentatonic:
Here is the A Form of the D Minor Pentatonic:
Here is the G Form of the D Major Pentatonic:
Here is the G Form of the D Minor Pentatonic:
Here is the E Form of the D Major Pentatonic:
Here is the E Form of the E Minor Pentatonic:
Here is the D Form of the D Major Pentatonic:
Here is the D Form of the D Minor Pentatonic:
I hope this guide has given you some insight on the
workings of the pentatonic scales.
Listen to your Subliminal Scales – Pentatonic Scales CD
Either in a very relaxed atmosphere or as background to
your daily routine.
Envision the forms in the diagrams.
Then as you listen to your favorite music you will begin
to hear and see where the notes are being played.
Additional Guitar Learning Resources:
Other brain entrainment Audio CDs:
Major and Minor Scales:
http://www.guitar5day.com/be-001.html
Intervals:
http://www.guitar5day.com/be-003.html
Chords and Scales:
http://www.guitar5day.com/be-004.html
Harmony
http://www.guitar5day.com/be-005.html
Intervals, Chords and Scales and Harmony
3 Pak:
http://www.guitar5day.com/be-345.html
Learn the CAGED theory and application
for rhythm and lead guitar.
Ultimate Fretboard:
http://www.guitar5day.com/tufg.html
Beginning Blues Guitar plus intermediate solo techniques.
Ultimate Blues Primer:
http://www.guitar5day.com/bp29.html
Guitar exercises plus scale and lead techniques.
Amazing Guitar 2.0:
http://www.guitar5day.com/3d1.html
Full featured lead guitar lesson program.
Lead Guitar Secrets:
http://www.lgs.guitar5day.com
Blues Rock From Beginner to Advanced
Logical Lead Guitar:
http://www.guitar5day.com/logical01.html
Guitar theory and application of modes.
Modal theory:
http://www.guitar5day.com/modal.html
Slow down your songs. Learn at half speed.
Song Surgeon:
http://www.guitar5day.com/surgeon01.html
