Last week we looked at the minor pentatonic, this week I will show you how to play the major pentatonic scale on guitar.
Recap on Pentatonics
Remember that a pentatonic scale is simply any scale with 5 notes within the octave.
The major pentatonic is no different.
Like the minor pentatonic, the major pentatonic is anhemitonic – which is just a flash way to say that there are no semi-tone intervals in the scale.
The Major Pentatonic
To me this scale sounds very folk-like. Even just playing this scale in a certain rhythm sounds very folky to me.
So it’s quite fun to play around with.
O.k. so here are the intervals for the scale
- Root
- Whole tone
- Whole tone
- 1 ? tone
- Whole tone
- 1 ? tone (back to root)
So if we are to use C major pentatonic as an example it would go like this:
- C (root)
- D (whole tone from C)
- E (whole tone from D)
- G (1 ? tones from E)
- A (whole tone from G)
- C (1 ? tones from A)
Another way to think of it is that it is the major scale, but leaving out two notes. In the case of C major pentatonic the B and the F are not used. This isn?t to say that the two scales sound the same because leaving those notes out makes for a very different feel and very different tonal character.
Just try playing around with the scale for a while and then try chucking in the B and F and it will sound off.
Related: Minor Pentatonic Scale
How to Play on the Guitar
O.k. now let’s take a look at how this will go on guitar. let’s use the C major pentatonic as our example as it doesn’t contain any sharps or flats.
C Major Pentatonic Open Position
e:------------------------| B:-----------------1------| G:-----------0--2---------| D:-----0--2---------------| A:--3---------------------| E:------------------------|
O.k. now let’s make a full exercise out of it.
e:-----------------------0--3--5--5--3--0------------------------------| B:-----------------1--3--------------------3--1------------------------| G:-----------0--2--------------------------------2--0------------------| D:-----0--2--------------------------------------------2--0------------| A:--3--------------------------------------------------------3--0------| E:-----------------------------------------------------------------3---| e:---------------------------------| B:---------------------------------| G:---------------------------------| D:---------------------------------| A:-----------0--3------------------| E:--3--0--3------------------------|
C major pentatonic further up the neck
e:--------------------------3--5--5--3---------------------------------| B:--------------------3--5--------------5--3---------------------------| G:--------------2--5--------------------------5--2---------------------| D:--------2--5--------------------------------------5--2---------------| A:--3--5--------------------------------------------------5--3---------| E:--------------------------------------------------------------5--3---| e:---------------------------------| B:---------------------------------| G:---------------------------------| D:---------------------------------| A:--------3------------------------| E:--3--5---------------------------|
A major pentatonic
O.k. now let’s take a look at the A major pentatonic as this will show the major pentatonic pattern starting on the E string.
e:--------------------------------5--7--7--5---------------------------| B:--------------------------5--7--------------7--5---------------------| G:--------------------4--6--------------------------6--4---------------| D:--------------4--7--------------------------------------7--4---------| A:--------4--7--------------------------------------------------7--4---| E:--5--7---------------------------------------------------------------| e:---------------------------------| B:---------------------------------| G:---------------------------------| D:---------------------------------| A:---------------------------------| E:--7--5---------------------------|
Notice the pattern?
You can now take those patterns and play any of the major pentatonic scales.
For example, if you want to play the G pentatonic scale then just start on the 3rd fret E string and play the same pattern as per the A major pentatonic above.
Or, for example, if you want to play the D major pentatonic scale then start on the 5th fret A string and play the same pattern as per the C pentatonic scale above.
What Next?
Do I need to say it again?. Practice!
Practice makes perfect and the more natural this scale becomes the easier it will be.
If you haven’t yet had a chance to learn the minor pentatonic scale check it out at the link below.
Next week we will take a look at the blues scale (hint: it’s like the minor pentatonic scale with a couple of variations).
Until then, keep practicing and see you next time.
Related: Online Guitar Lessons
