Pentatonic Major Fifth Mode

Fifth Mode Pentatonic Major Scale Diagram

The Fifth Position of the Pentatonic Major Scale

Continuing in the key of G major we will now play the fifth position or mode of the G major pentatonic scale. Earlier I mentioned that G major’s relative minor is E. So this means that the fifth position of the major pentatonic scale is also the minor pentatonic scale! Keep this is mind. When it’s time for you to learn the minor pentatonic scale, this will be the pattern you will start with. Also, don’t get confused about this relative minor thing. The relative minor comes from the major scale. The relative minor is always the 6th note of the major scale. And the 5th in the major scale, is well, the perfect 5th. The reason our relative minor in the major pentatonic scale is our 5th note is because we substracted the 2nd and 6th notes of the major scale to make a pentatonic (5 note) scale. That’s why our relative minor is now our 5th note, but in reality it will always be the 6th note of the major scale. Confusing? Don’t worry, keep at it. It’ll all make sense after a while.

The fifth note in the scale of G major pentatonic is E, so we will begin this fifth mode on the E at the 6th string, 12th fret. Notice how it directly ties to the fourth position we played earlier. All the notes on the right of the fourth’s position pattern are the same as the notes on the left of the fifth’s positon pattern. Remember to learn these in order, so if you landed on this page first after searching the web, go up to the menu and find the first mode and begin there.

Similar Posts