Free guitar theory lessons on the pentatonic minor scale for guitar. These are shown in parts to teach you each of the 5 positions of the pentatonic minor scale and how to play each of them on the fretboard. Each position gets its own lesson article. At the end of the section I put together the entire key so you can visualize all the positions together as they relate to each other. Look at the end of “Pentatonic Minor Key” to see all the positions together.
The most OVERUSED scale in rock music Alright, before we get started I suggest you read the Pentatonic Major Scale Intro lesson. In that lesson I talk about a number of issues pertinent to both the Pentatonic Major and Minor Scales. Ok, moving on… I can’t say this enough, the Pentatonic Minor Scale is, hands…
The First Position of the Pentatonic Major Scale Since we did the major pentatonic in the key of G, we will do the minor pentatonic it’s relative minor, the key of E minor. Don’t forget you can transpose the scale to any key simply by placing the first note in the pattern over the correct…
The Second Position of the Pentatonic Minor Scale Continuing in the key of E minor we will now play the second position or mode of the E minor pentatonic scale. The second note in the scale of E minor pentatonic is G, so we will begin this second mode on the G at the 6th…
The Third Position of the Pentatonic Minor Scale Continuing in the key of E minor we will now play the third position or mode of the E minor pentatonic scale. The third note in the scale of E minor pentatonic is A, so we will begin this third mode on the A at the 6th…
The Fourth Position of the Pentatonic Minor Scale Continuing in the key of E minor we will now play the fourth position or mode of the E minor pentatonic scale. The fourth note in the scale of E minor pentatonic is B, so we will begin this fourth mode on the B at the 6th…
The Fifth Position of the Pentatonic Minor Scale Continuing in the key of E minor we will now play the fifth position or mode of the E minor pentatonic scale. The fifth note in the scale of E minor pentatonic is D, so we will begin this fifth mode on the D at the 6th…
All the positions of the pentatonic minor scale put together. Ok! Now that you know every position of the pentatonic minor scale it’s time to put them all together as one big entity. Look closely at the diagram. See how all the positions and mode patterns interject. Notice that the notes on the right of…