Minor Pentatonic Scales 5 Positions and Application

Minor pentatonic scalesare one of the most common scales that guitarists learn when they first begin
their exploration of the linear aspect of the instrument.

In this short primer to the minor pentatonic scale, you will learnhow the scale is built, how to practice it
from a technical standpoint, how to use it in an improvisational context and how to play the five basic
fingerings for this scale across the guitar.

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Minor Pentatonic Scales 5 Positions Construction

Root-b3-4-5-b7-Root

Key of A = A C D E G A

Minor Pentatonic Scales 5 Positions Technique

Play each scale from the lowest note to the highest and back again

Play each scale from the highest note to the lowest and back again

Start on any note in the scale, play up to the first string, down to the sixth string and back to your
starting note to complete the pattern

Start on any note in the scale, play down to the sixth string, up to the first string and back to your
starting note to complete the pattern

Sing the root of the key you are in, so if you are practicing in A minor sing the note A, and play up
and down each of the five fingerings as you hold the root with your voice for each one

 Minor Pentatonic Scales 5 Positions Soloing

Improvise over a m7 chord using the five patterns in the key of that chord. So for Am7 you would
improvise using the five patterns of the minor pentatonic scale in the key of A

Improvise over a 7th chord using the five patterns in the key of that chord. So for A7 you would
improvise using the five patterns of the minor pentatonic scale in the key of A

Improvise over a maj7 chord using the five patterns in the key of that chord. So for Amaj7 you
would improvise using the five patterns of the minor pentatonic scale in the key of A

Improvise over a Minor Blues, using the minor pentatonic that is in the same key as the blues. So,
for an A minor blues, use the five fingerings of the A minor pentatonic scale.

Improvise over a Major Blues, using the minor pentatonic that is in the same key as the blues. So,
for an A major blues, use the five fingerings of the A minor pentatonic scale.

Minor Pentatonic Scales 5 Positions Key of A