How to Play Them, When to Use Them & How They Relate to Minor Pentatonics
Pentatonic scales are a guitarist's best friend. They allow us to easily start playing licks and improvising, but they also can help us learn about theory and the arrangement of the fretboard. Did you know that standard tuning on a guitar is just the notes of the E Minor Pentatonic Scale rearranged? The E Minor Pentatonic is played by playing E G A B D in order, where as we tune our guitar strings to E A D G B E (low to hi.) So you see, our instrument is literally made to play pentatonics.
Now most guitars players that have been playing for just a few months know at least one way to play a minor pentatonic scale. More advanced guitarists may have even mastered all 5 shapes and positions of the minor pentatonic, but how many understand how to use MAJOR pentatonics and how they relate to minor pentatonics?
If you've asked yourself these questions then this lesson is for you. We build on the topics we've covered in previous videos on minor pentatonics in order to go into great detail on major pentatonics. We go over how to approach major pentatonics using tonic notes as well as how play them in various positions using the "5 shapes or boxes." We also dive into the theory and discuss "relative keys," "parallel keys," and what exactly the differences between major and minor pentatonic scales are. At the end we even go over a few original licks you can use to practice your technique and understanding of the scales.
Below is a corresponding PDF that details all the concepts and exercises covered in the video.
Previous videos on minor pentatonics are recommended before diving into this one. Here they are:
