Download Pentatonic Scale

Pentatonic Scale
- very popular scales used in rock, blues, country music
- Penta = 5
Tonic = Tones (pitches)
Pentatonic Scale = a scale with 5 tones (same as a major scale but removes the
4th & 7th notes)
- 2 notes per string
- 5 generic shapes that are connected together
1
5
2
4
3
Note: In Shape 1, the notes on the bottom of the chord diagram form the top
notes in Shape 2 and so on. This decreases the amount of memorization needed.
Example – C Major Scale Becomes a C Major Pentatonic Scale
Note
1st
C
2nd
D
3rd
E
4th
F
5th
G
6th
A
The above notes also state the starting position for each pentatonic shape.
7th
B
How To Set Up the Pentatonic Shapes
1) Write out the notes of the corresponding major scale.
2) Cross out the 4th and 7th notes.
3) Find the root note (1st note) on the 6th string. This is where Shape 2 begins.
4) Determine the fret numbers for each remaining letter.
5) Since each shape is linked together like a chain, they go in chronological order
and repeat over and over until you run out of frets.
Example – C Major Pentatonic Scale Starting Points
Note
Fret
Shape
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
8
2
10
3
0/12
4
3/15
5
5/17
1