Minor Pentatonic Scales

One of the most commonly used guitar scales in popular music today is the pentatonic scale. Basically, a pentatonic scale is a scale with 5 notes. This originates from the Greek word “penta” which stands for five. Minor pentatonic scales are often associated with rock guitar solos/lead. (Hence, they are one of my favorite scales). They are also one of the easiest scales to learn aside from the major and minor scales.

Ok. Before we go further, please read and fully understand the minor scale lesson. The minor pentatonic scale is based off the natural minor scale. The 2nd and 6th notes are removed from the natural minor in order to achieve the pentatonic scale. As a result, this will give us a scale whereby all the notes are at least 2 semitones apart.

Compare the natural minor and minor pentatonic guitar scales

A minor pentatonic scale

Some people prefer to memorise the scale using formulas while others remember it by the shapes. Well, it all depends on you are method you are more comfortable with.

Shapes of the Pentatonic Scale

Similarly to the major scales shapes, pentatonic scale patterns can be found across the guitar fretboard. There are 5 main patterns across the fretboard. Basically, we are adopting a 2 notes per string system for the minor pentatonic scales. If you are totally new, I would advise starting with Patterns 1 and Patterns 3 as they have easier fingerings. 

Minor Pentatonic Scale Pattern 1

Minor Pentatonic Scale Pattern 2

Minor Pentatonic Scale Pattern 3 

Minor Pentatonic Scale Pattern 4

Minor Pentatonic Scale Pattern 5

Minor Pentatonic Exercise

This is a simple exercise that you can apply to help learn the fingering of the different scale patterns.

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At the end of the day, you must be comfortable in using pentatonic scales and put into practice what you have learnt. You would be amazed with the amount of licks and riffs you can come out with using the pentatonic scales. To get you guys started with using these scales for improvisation, I have specially written lessons on Guitar Solo Improvisation 1 on tips and hints to using pentatonic scales for soloing.