Guitar Lessons: The Pentatonic Scale

Pentatonic Scale

The Pentatonic Scale
This is the basic pentatonic scale on which most guitar solos are based. It is
called penta-tonic because it has only five notes instead of the usual eight.
That isn't very important right now, though. What is important is that you
memorize this scale. You can do that by playing it over and over again. Or it
might be easier to just learn the tricks in the easy tricks sections. They are
all based on this scale exclusively.
Key=A
Basic Pentatonic                      With Extensions

E |-----5--------8----------------| E |-----5---------8------10-------|
B |-----5--------8----------------| B |-----5---------8------10-------|
G |-----5-----7-------------------| G |-----5-----7------9------------|
D |-----5-----7-------------------| D |-----5-----7-------------------|
A |-----5-----7-------------------| D |-----5-----7-------------------|
E |-----5--------8----------------| E |-----5--------8----------------|




  The scale above is the pentatonic scale for songs in the key of A. The key
  determines where on the fretboard you will want to play. The note on the sixth
  (E) string at the 5th fret is an "A." A is the "root" of the A scale. If we
  wanted to play in "G" we would want to move this whole thing down to the 3rd
  fret, like so:
Key=G
Basic Pentatonic                      With Extensions

E |-----3--------6----------------| E |-----3---------6------8--------|
B |-----3--------6----------------| B |-----3---------6------8--------|
G |-----3-----5-------------------| G |-----3-----5------7------------|
D |-----3-----5-------------------| D |-----3-----5-------------------|
A |-----3-----5-------------------| D |-----3-----5-------------------|
E |-----3--------6----------------| E |-----3--------6----------------|

  Most of the tricks in this site are in the key of A so we won't have to worry
  about that too much. However, if you try playing in the wrong key you will
  sound really bad. If you find yourself playing with others and you don't know
  what key they are using either ask them or watch to see which chord they play
  the most often. Usually a song will use the chord that corresponds to the key
  more often than other chords. If the song is in A, there will be a lot of A
  chords. Also, a song will usually start and end with the root chord . If the
  song is in A, the first chord will probably be A and the last chord will
  probably be A.
  Let's not worry for the moment about whether the key is "A major" or "A
  minor." I will explain that later. 

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Natural Harmonics

Natural Harmonics

Here is a natural harmonics table where all the tones are marked on the guitar
fret board. Well, it´s not on all frets... just the 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th fret are
marked. I think it could be helpful for melody writing with the use of natural
harmonics.

Here is how the natural harmonics thing works:
If you measure the length of a string from the bridge to the top of the neck and
divide the length by 2 it should be over the 12 fret, and that's a natural
harmonics position.
If you divide the length by 3 and measure that length from the top of the neck
you have the 7th fret N.H. position.
Divide by 4 and you have the 5th N.H position.
Divide by 5 and you have the 4th N.H position which is the same as the 9th fret
(divide by 5 and then multiply by 2 for the 9th fret).
Below you will find the note names of all the common natural harmonics. These
notes are close to the A major scale. Check out
Trick of the Week May 10,1999
for a trick based on these note values. You can use them to play any melody in A
major.

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Guitar Lessons: Medium Trick 8

Medium Trick 8

Now's a good time to slow down and rest before we move on to the Hard Tricks.

E |-------------------------------|----------------------------------|

B |-------------------------------|----------------------------------|

G |-------------------------------|---5---------5~~~~~~~~~-----------|

D |-------------------------------|--------7-------------------------|

A |-------------3-----5------/7---|----------------------------------|

E |------/5-----------------------|----------------------------------|

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Guitar lessons: Medium Trick 7

Medium Trick 7
When you play the exact same notes in different places on the guitar, the
fingering of a group of notes will change, and that will allow you to do
different tricks than you could if you stayed in one position. I am introducing
new fingering here, but these are the same notes you have been playing since
Easy Trick 1. Notice how the hammer-ons occur between different pairs of notes
in the second measure than in the first.



E |-------------------------------|----------------------------------|
B |----------------------------5--|----------------------------------|
G |----------------------5-h-7----|---------------------------7-h-9--|
D |--------------5-h-7------------|--------------------7-h-10--------|
A |--------5-h-7------------------|------------7-h-10----------------|
E |-5-h-8-------------------------|-5-h-8--/10-----------------------|
     

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Guitar Lesson: Medium Trick 6

Medium Trick 6
Did you know that you can play the exact same note in several different places
on the guitar?






E |---1---------------------------|---0------------------------------|
B |-----------6-------------------|-------------5--------------------|
G |---------------------10--------|-----------------------9----------|
D |-------------------------------|----------------------------------|
A |-------------------------------|----------------------------------|
E |-------------------------------|----------------------------------|

     

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Guitar Lessons: Medium Trick 5, KEY=A Major

Medium Trick 5
When I've been soloing through a few songs and my brain is starting to get
tired, I like to do the same trick twice in a row. First I play it in the major
pentatonic position and then in the standard position. It sounds pretty
sophisticated and it gives me a chance to rest.


KEY=A Major

E |---------------5---7b/\---5----|--------------8---10b/\---8-------|
B |---------5--7----------------7-|-------8--10-----------------10---|
G |----/6-------------------------|---/9-----------------------------|
D |-------------------------------|----------------------------------|
A |-------------------------------|----------------------------------|
E |-------------------------------|----------------------------------|
     

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Guitar Lesson: A Major Scale

Medium Trick 4
No theory here. Relax and play a trick.

KEY=A Major

E |-----------8-------------------|----------------------------------|
B |---8-h-10-----10--8-----8------|--------8-------------------------|
G |---------------------9-----9---|-7-h-9-----9--7--5--7--5---5------|
D |-------------------------------|-------------------------7---7----|
A |-------------------------------|----------------------------------|
E |-------------------------------|----------------------------------|
     

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Major Pentatonic Scale 3

Major Pentatonic Scale

More Scales 

Here is the basic pentatonic scale. Does it look familiar? If not, you might

want to go practice the easy tricks before you read this next part. Without the

pentatonic scale as background this section will get really confusing.

Key= A

Basic Pentatonic With Extensions

E |-----5--------8----------------| E |-----5---------8------10-------|

B |-----5--------8----------------| B |-----5---------8------10-------|

G |-----5-----7-------------------| G |-----5-----7------9------------|

D |-----5-----7-------------------| D |-----5-----7-------------------|

A |-----5-----7-------------------| D |-----5-----7-------------------|

E |-----5--------8----------------| E |-----5--------8----------------|

When a guitar player talks about "the penatonic scale" this scale above is what

he is talking about. However, it is really called the MINOR pentatonic scale. In

these discussions we call it "the basic pentatonic" because most people don't

call it minor.

So what is the difference? Well, a scale is major if the third note of the scale

is four frets from the root note. A scale is minor if the third note of the

scale is three frets from the root note. In the A major scale the third note is

C#, which is four frets from A. In the pentatonic scale above the third note is

C, not C#. Therefore the scale is minor. You don't need to understand this in

order to be a good guitar player. You just need to know how to play it. Read on

to learn how to play the MAJOR penatonic scale.

The Major Pentatonic Scale

Next door to the basic pentatonic scale below is the major pentatonic scale. It

looks like the minor pentatonic scale for F#, which it is. However, it is also

the major pentatonic scale for A major. F# is the relative minor key of A major.

The relative minor key is always 1 1/2 steps down from the major key. This is

easy to remember if you remember that A is the relative minor of C. That isn't

really important to this discussion. As a guitar player all you need to know is

that you can play in two different positions on the fret board in the same song

and get two entirely different sets of sounds using the same standard pentatonic

scale and even the same tricks. All you have to do is move the pattern down

three frets and see how it sounds.

Key=A

Minor Pentatonic Major Pentatonic

E |-----5---------8------10-------| E |-----2---------5------7--------|

B |-----5---------8------10-------| B |-----2---------5------7--------|

G |-----5-----7------9------------| G |-----2-----4------6------------|

D |-----5-----7-------------------| D |-----2-----4-------------------|

A |-----5-----7-------------------| A |-----2-----4-------------------|

E |-----5--------8----------------| E |-----2--------5----------------|

If you are playing in the greater rock/blues category of music (the big category

from Chuck Berry to Metallica), then you can use either the major or minor

pentatonic in your solos. You can even use both in the same solo. The rock/blues

style only loosely adheres to the major/minor distinction. This gives you a lot

of leeway in your playing.

The Combination Scale

So what is to stop you from combining the two? Nothing, not one thing except the

song itself. The same trick won't sound good in every song, so it is up to you

to decide what sounds best in a given situation. Does this look difficult? It's

not, really. It is just two simple pentatonic scales sitting side by side.

Key=A

Minor Pentatonic PLUS Major Pentatonic

E |-----2----------5-------7---8------10--------|

B |-----2----------5-------7---8------10--------|

G |-----2------4---5---6---7-------9------------|

D |-----2------4---5-------7--------------------|

A |-----2------4---5-------7--------------------|

E |-----2----------5-------7---8----------------|

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Major Pentatonic Scale

Major Pentatonic Scale

More Scales

 

Here is the basic pentatonic scale. Does it look familiar? If not, you might
want to go practice the easy tricks before you read this next part. Without the
pentatonic scale as background this section will get really confusing.

Key= A
Basic Pentatonic                      With Extensions

E |-----5--------8----------------| E |-----5---------8------10-------|
B |-----5--------8----------------| B |-----5---------8------10-------|
G |-----5-----7-------------------| G |-----5-----7------9------------|
D |-----5-----7-------------------| D |-----5-----7-------------------|
A |-----5-----7-------------------| D |-----5-----7-------------------|
E |-----5--------8----------------| E |-----5--------8----------------|

When a guitar player talks about "the penatonic scale" this scale above is what
he is talking about. However, it is really called the MINOR pentatonic scale. In
these discussions we call it "the basic pentatonic" because most people don't
call it minor.
So what is the difference? Well, a scale is major if the third note of the scale
is four frets from the root note. A scale is minor if the third note of the
scale is three frets from the root note. In the A major scale the third note is
C#, which is four frets from A. In the pentatonic scale above the third note is
C, not C#. Therefore the scale is minor. You don't need to understand this in
order to be a good guitar player. You just need to know how to play it. Read on
to learn how to play the MAJOR penatonic scale.





The Major Pentatonic Scale
Next door to the basic pentatonic scale below is the major pentatonic scale. It
looks like the minor pentatonic scale for F#, which it is. However, it is also
the major pentatonic scale for A major. F# is the relative minor key of A major.
The relative minor key is always 1 1/2 steps down from the major key. This is
easy to remember if you remember that A is the relative minor of C. That isn't
really important to this discussion. As a guitar player all you need to know is
that you can play in two different positions on the fret board in the same song
and get two entirely different sets of sounds using the same standard pentatonic
scale and even the same tricks. All you have to do is move the pattern down
three frets and see how it sounds.

Key=A
Minor Pentatonic                      Major Pentatonic

E |-----5---------8------10-------| E |-----2---------5------7--------|
B |-----5---------8------10-------| B |-----2---------5------7--------|
G |-----5-----7------9------------| G |-----2-----4------6------------|
D |-----5-----7-------------------| D |-----2-----4-------------------|
A |-----5-----7-------------------| A |-----2-----4-------------------|
E |-----5--------8----------------| E |-----2--------5----------------|

If you are playing in the greater rock/blues category of music (the big category
from Chuck Berry to Metallica), then you can use either the major or minor
pentatonic in your solos. You can even use both in the same solo. The rock/blues
style only loosely adheres to the major/minor distinction. This gives you a lot
of leeway in your playing.




The Combination Scale
So what is to stop you from combining the two? Nothing, not one thing except the
song itself. The same trick won't sound good in every song, so it is up to you
to decide what sounds best in a given situation. Does this look difficult? It's
not, really. It is just two simple pentatonic scales sitting side by side.

Key=A
Minor Pentatonic PLUS Major Pentatonic

E |-----2----------5-------7---8------10--------|
B |-----2----------5-------7---8------10--------|
G |-----2------4---5---6---7-------9------------|
D |-----2------4---5-------7--------------------|
A |-----2------4---5-------7--------------------|
E |-----2----------5-------7---8----------------|

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Major Pentatonic Scale

Major Pentatonic Scale
More Scales


Here is the basic pentatonic scale. Does it look familiar? If not, you might
want to go practice the easy tricks before you read this next part. Without the
pentatonic scale as background this section will get really confusing.

Key= A
Basic Pentatonic                      With Extensions

E |-----5--------8----------------| E |-----5---------8------10-------|
B |-----5--------8----------------| B |-----5---------8------10-------|
G |-----5-----7-------------------| G |-----5-----7------9------------|
D |-----5-----7-------------------| D |-----5-----7-------------------|
A |-----5-----7-------------------| D |-----5-----7-------------------|
E |-----5--------8----------------| E |-----5--------8----------------|

When a guitar player talks about "the penatonic scale" this scale above is what
he is talking about. However, it is really called the MINOR pentatonic scale. In
these discussions we call it "the basic pentatonic" because most people don't
call it minor.
So what is the difference? Well, a scale is major if the third note of the scale
is four frets from the root note. A scale is minor if the third note of the
scale is three frets from the root note. In the A major scale the third note is
C#, which is four frets from A. In the pentatonic scale above the third note is
C, not C#. Therefore the scale is minor. You don't need to understand this in
order to be a good guitar player. You just need to know how to play it. Read on
to learn how to play the MAJOR penatonic scale.




The Major Pentatonic Scale
Next door to the basic pentatonic scale below is the major pentatonic scale. It
looks like the minor pentatonic scale for F#, which it is. However, it is also
the major pentatonic scale for A major. F# is the relative minor key of A major.
The relative minor key is always 1 1/2 steps down from the major key. This is
easy to remember if you remember that A is the relative minor of C. That isn't
really important to this discussion. As a guitar player all you need to know is
that you can play in two different positions on the fret board in the same song
and get two entirely different sets of sounds using the same standard pentatonic
scale and even the same tricks. All you have to do is move the pattern down
three frets and see how it sounds.

Key=A
Minor Pentatonic                      Major Pentatonic

E |-----5---------8------10-------| E |-----2---------5------7--------|
B |-----5---------8------10-------| B |-----2---------5------7--------|
G |-----5-----7------9------------| G |-----2-----4------6------------|
D |-----5-----7-------------------| D |-----2-----4-------------------|
A |-----5-----7-------------------| A |-----2-----4-------------------|
E |-----5--------8----------------| E |-----2--------5----------------|

If you are playing in the greater rock/blues category of music (the big category
from Chuck Berry to Metallica), then you can use either the major or minor
pentatonic in your solos. You can even use both in the same solo. The rock/blues
style only loosely adheres to the major/minor distinction. This gives you a lot
of leeway in your playing.




The Combination Scale
So what is to stop you from combining the two? Nothing, not one thing except the
song itself. The same trick won't sound good in every song, so it is up to you
to decide what sounds best in a given situation. Does this look difficult? It's
not, really. It is just two simple pentatonic scales sitting side by side.

Key=A
Minor Pentatonic PLUS Major Pentatonic

E |-----2----------5-------7---8------10--------|
B |-----2----------5-------7---8------10--------|
G |-----2------4---5---6---7-------9------------|
D |-----2------4---5-------7--------------------|
A |-----2------4---5-------7--------------------|
E |-----2----------5-------7---8----------------|


       weekly archive | more scales | tricks

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How to Read Guitar Tab

How to Read Guitar Tab Guitar Tab lecture
These tricks are written in guitar tab lecture (tab). Tab is very easy to read.
Each of the six lines represents a string on the guitar. The vertical bars
(loosely) represent measures of the song. The numbers indicate the frets of the
guitar that the player should play, reading from left to right. For this example
you should place your index finger on the D string (the 4th from the little one)
at the 5th fret. Then place your ring finger on the D string on the 7th fret,
then place your index finger on the G string on the 5th fret, and so on.


strings       fret numbers     measure

E |-------------------------------|----------------------------------|
B |-------------------------------|----------------------------------|
G |----------5-7-5---5-h-7--------|----------------------------------|
D |----5--7--------7--------------|----------------------------------|
A |-------------------------------|----------------------------------|
E |-------------------------------|----------------------------------|


See the little "h" before the last 7? It means "hammer on." Instead of picking
that note, you should let the one before it keep ringing and then hammer your
ring finger down on the 7th fret. There are other special symbols as well:
  h = hammer on
  p = pull off
  b = bend
  / = slide up
  \ = slide down

Don't worry about the symbols too much right now. You'll get used to them over
time and you will be able to understand them better when you listen to the .wav
files of the individual tricks.
      

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Hard Rock Lessons

Hard Rock Lessons

This is the first lesson I have ever taught, and I hope it will be

helpful to the begginer. I remember when I first started playing,

it would be AC/DC and some punk rock. I feel this is good to

learn first because it is easy and gets you into some easy chord

progressions (a series of chords) and pentonic scales (a easy way

to do guitar solo's). In this lesson I will assume:

-You can read tab

-You know some basic chords/power chords

First off, every rock song has a chord progression. In one AC/DC

song, it uses four chords, E, B, D and A.

E Chord: B Chord: D Chord: A Chord:

E 0 E - E 2 E -

B 0 B - B 3 B 0

G 1 G 4 G 2 G 2

D 2 D 4 D 0 D 2

A 2 A 2 A - A 2

E 0 E - E - E -

Those Chords, with some distortion on your guitar, will produce

a very AC/DC-ish sound that you can impress your friends with :)

But that won't do it, you need to have a even catchier chord

progression (riff). One of the most famous and overused riff's

is E, G, A.

E Chord: G Chord: A Chord:

E 0 E - E -

B 0 B - B 0

G 1 G - G 2

D 2 D 5 D 2

A 2 A 5 A 2

E 0 E 3 E -

Now you have some basic riff's, all in the Key of E (hence the

overuse of the E Chord) and this means you can solo over this with

the E pentonic scale! You can play basically any of the following

notes at any random time and it will sound fine!

E ----------------------------------12-15

B ----------------------------12-15------

G -------------------12-14-15------------

D -------------12-14---------------------

A -------12-14---------------------------

E -12-15---------------------------------

Solo Examples:

E --------------------------------12----------------------

B -------------------------12--------15-12----------------

G 14-12-----------------12----14-----------14--12-14-12---

D ------14-12-14--12-14---------------------------------14

A --------------------------------------------------------

E --------------------------------------------------------

E 15-12------------------------------------

B ------15-12-15---------------------------

G ---------------14-------------------12---

D ------------------------------12-------14

A ------------------------12-14----14------

E ------------------12-15------------------

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Guitar Solo TipsSoloing Tips

Guitar Solo TipsSoloing Tips
  About Concepts
 

 
  "One of the most important parts of a solo is the way it starts. That sets the
  mood. The solo should reach high points and low points, and catch you in an
  instant kind of way. The solo is a piece of music in itself. It should have
  some sweet spots and some dirty spots."
  Kirk Hammet
  "The best solos are something that you can sing as well as the melody line.
  The kind of solos I enjoy are where there's a line that reflects the melody
  but subtly changes it. It opens up another little window in the song. There
  should also be some spontaneity, It shouldn't be totally planned out."
  Brian May
  "I know what key I'm in, but it's more the note I'm looking for. You
  automatically adhere to certain patterns because the notes are there. The most
  important thing is to be able to hear it in your head and apply it through
  your fingers to your neck in a split second. That's what people miss out on.
  Instead of playing patterns, hear the melody you're going for. You need enough
  experience to know where it is on the neck. I'm still learning this, it's
  something that very few guitar players of my generation even paid attention
  to. You have a better chance of reaching your goal if you hear the solo before
  it happens, rather than just flipping around."
  Slash
  "I sometimes develop a solo by taking a story I have in my head and reciting
  it. And as you say the story, sing it. No one will hear you singing, because
  the amps are too loud. then play what you're singing. If you do it that way
  and listen to what you play, you'll be shocked. It's a totally different
  approach."
  Steve Vai
  "There are certain patterns, scales, and positions that become engraved in
  your brain from common usage. If you have a melodic idea in mind, you find the
  place on the fingerboard where it's going to happen, and start to fool around
  in the licks, phrases and scales that you know in that position. That's how
  you build a solo. When I listen to a solo after the fact I can analyze what i
  was doing. But at the point of doing it, I'm searching. I tend to rely a lot
  on arpeggios, but I didn't know that until I listened back to solos and
  transcribed them."
  Rik Emmett
  "You can learn so much applying rules of speech to your playing. Notes are
  letters, words are chords, riffs are sentences, choruses and verses are the
  paragraphs. Basically, you're telling a story. It's very simple but we all
  tend to go, "Gee, here's a guitar. I'd better think a lot." The more you
  think, the more frozen you get. Just let it flow. It really works that way."
  Marc Bonilla
  About Theory
 
 
  "Ab5 means you've got a 4, and maybe don't have a 5-you've got a b5 instead.
  A#4 [Lydian Mode] means that you've got a whole-step between 3 and 4, but
  there's still that 5 to retrieve it and move it and smooth is out. It's a
  whole different emotion. The b5 is a real nasty thing. It's like pulling a rug
  out from under someone, throwing a pie in his face, and unscrewing the hubs of
  his wheels. With Lydian mode, you don't know there's a trouble unless you play
  that particular note."
  Joe Satriani
  "When I approach a solo, first I learn the melody and then I learn the chords
  from sheet music or from a record. Then I try to use substitution chords here
  and there that will make the tune a little more interesting. For instance in
  place of an Fm I would use an Ab6/9, or in place of a C7  I sometimes use a
  Gdim going to F.
  Chet Atkins
  No musicians can say,"Hey man, I've finally got it all happening." There's so
  much more to develop: make the lines hipper, change the chords voicings,
  expand the harmonic vocabulary. How you develop and resolve a line determines
  the intellect of the improvisation. I have enough musical theory to know what
  scales fit what chords - I've been studying that since the age of eight. Yet
  any musicians knoows once you've learned and digested music theory you have to
  throw it away at some points.
  Al Di Meola
  About Technique




  For me, playing slowly and interestingly is harder than going fast. A lot of
  guitarists can play fast, so when I achieved that ability I was determined not
  to sound like everybody else and just run up and down the scales or do simple
  major and minor arpeggios. Sweep picking enables me to go beyond that and
  execute arpeggios based on minor 9th, 11th, and 13th chords or whatever.
  Frank Gambale
  Sometimes I use the side of my pick to get harmonics. I also get harmonics by
  hitting a note with my left hand finger while I tap my right index finger on
  the fingerboard exactly one octave up. When it's an exact octave, you bring
  out the harmonics plus the lower note. Like in "Spanish Fly" I start out by
  tapping harmonics and then do hammer-ons and pull-offs with my left hand and
  reach behind my left with my right and use my right index finger below my left
  hand, so that it acts as a sixth finger. In other words, my right-hand finger
  changes the lowest note. See,  the way I play is in my fingers. I have a style
  of playing where no matter what amp or guitar I use, it sounds like me.
  Eddie Van Halen
  Early on I was lucky enough to have someone point out the usefulness of my
  left-hand little finger. As a result it is one of my strongest fingers, and I
  prefer to use it even more than my ring finger. That's always what made me
  different from most rock-guitarists I know - even the really good ones. I
  think in Rock N Roll a lot of guitar players favors something that lets them
  use the ring finger for greater articulation and vibrato effects. For me, I've
  got to be able to do it with every finger. I find it ridiculous to have close
  all my ideas on my ring finger so I can get a vibrato. That eliminates a lot
  of possibilities automatically.
  Jerry Garcia

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guitar scales - minorMinor Scale

guitar scales - minorMinor Scale
This is the A minor scale. I haven't seen a whole lot of information on minor
key soloing out there in the world, so I just play the basic minor scale (no
sharps or flats). If you know of other minor key soloing scales send them to me
and I will post them here.

KEY=A minor
basic scale                           with extensions

E |-----5-----7--8----------------|E |--5-----7--8-----10----12--13--|
B |-----5--6-----8----------------|B |--5--6-----8-----10----12--13--|
G |--4--5-----7-------------------|G |--5-----7-----9--10------------|
D |-----5-----7-------------------|D |--5-----7----------------------|
A |-----5-----7--8----------------|A |--5-----7----------------------|
E |-----5-----7--8----------------|E |--5--------8-------------------|



       a minor key trick

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guitar scales - minorMinor Scale

guitar scales - minorMinor Scale
This is the A minor scale. I haven't seen a whole lot of information on minor
key soloing out there in the world, so I just play the basic minor scale (no
sharps or flats). If you know of other minor key soloing scales send them to me
and I will post them here.

KEY=A minor
basic scale                           with extensions

E |-----5-----7--8----------------|E |--5-----7--8-----10----12--13--|
B |-----5--6-----8----------------|B |--5--6-----8-----10----12--13--|
G |--4--5-----7-------------------|G |--5-----7-----9--10------------|
D |-----5-----7-------------------|D |--5-----7----------------------|
A |-----5-----7--8----------------|A |--5-----7----------------------|
E |-----5-----7--8----------------|E |--5--------8-------------------|



       a minor key trick

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guitar scales - minorMinor Scale

guitar scales - minorMinor Scale
This is the A minor scale. I haven't seen a whole lot of information on minor
key soloing out there in the world, so I just play the basic minor scale (no
sharps or flats). If you know of other minor key soloing scales send them to me
and I will post them here.
KEY=A minor
basic scale                           with extensions

E |-----5-----7--8----------------|E |--5-----7--8-----10----12--13--|
B |-----5--6-----8----------------|B |--5--6-----8-----10----12--13--|
G |--4--5-----7-------------------|G |--5-----7-----9--10------------|
D |-----5-----7-------------------|D |--5-----7----------------------|
A |-----5-----7--8----------------|A |--5-----7----------------------|
E |-----5-----7--8----------------|E |--5--------8-------------------|


       a minor key trick

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guitar scales - minorMinor Scale

guitar scales - minorMinor Scale
This is the A minor scale. I haven't seen a whole lot of information on minor
key soloing out there in the world, so I just play the basic minor scale (no
sharps or flats). If you know of other minor key soloing scales send them to me
and I will post them here.

KEY=A minor
basic scale                           with extensions

E |-----5-----7--8----------------|E |--5-----7--8-----10----12--13--|
B |-----5--6-----8----------------|B |--5--6-----8-----10----12--13--|
G |--4--5-----7-------------------|G |--5-----7-----9--10------------|
D |-----5-----7-------------------|D |--5-----7----------------------|
A |-----5-----7--8----------------|A |--5-----7----------------------|
E |-----5-----7--8----------------|E |--5--------8-------------------|


       a minor key trick

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guitar scales - minor Minor Scale

guitar scales - minor Minor Scale
This is the A minor scale. I haven't seen a whole lot of information on minor
key soloing out there in the world, so I just play the basic minor scale (no
sharps or flats). If you know of other minor key soloing scales send them to me
and I will post them here.

KEY=A minor
basic scale                           with extensions

E |-----5-----7--8----------------|E |--5-----7--8-----10----12--13--|
B |-----5--6-----8----------------|B |--5--6-----8-----10----12--13--|
G |--4--5-----7-------------------|G |--5-----7-----9--10------------|
D |-----5-----7-------------------|D |--5-----7----------------------|
A |-----5-----7--8----------------|A |--5-----7----------------------|
E |-----5-----7--8----------------|E |--5--------8-------------------|


       a minor key trick

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Guitar lesson: Extended Pentatonic Scale

Extended Pentatonic Scale Scale Extensions
Almost every single note on the guitar can be played in multiple places on the
guitar. The exact same note can be played on different strings on different
frets. For instance, look at all the places where you can play the exact same
high E:

E |--0--------------------------|
B |-----5-----------------------|
G |---------9-------------------|
D |------------14---------------|
A |----------------19-----------|
E |-----------------------------|

This has big implications for scales and soloing. If you can play each note in
several places on the fretboard, then you can play whole scales in different
places on the fretboard too. A scale is just a collection of notes. Here is the
minor pentatonic scale that we have been working with extended to the whole
standard fretboard:

Key= A
Minor Pentatonic Scale

E |------3----5-------8------10----12---------15----|
B |------3----5-------8------10--------13-----15----|
G |---2-------5----7------9--------12-----14--------|
D |---2-------5----7---------10----12-----14--------|
A |------3----5----7---------10----12---------15----|
E |------3----5-------8------10----12---------15----|

These are the same notes we have been working with in the basic minor pentatonic
scale. Above we have simply extended the scale to include the duplicate notes
and their octaves across the fretboard. Keep in mind that this scale is not the
same as the combination of major and minor scales introduced earlier. This is an
extension of the minor pentatonic only.



Hand Positions
This whole scale is too much information to think about all at once. Lots of
players find it easier to break the scale up into chunks based on the places
where it is convenient to move your hand. Below is the fully extended standard
minor pentatonic scale divided into 5 hand positions. You should recognize all
of position 1 and part of position 2 already.

Key= A
Position: 1             2                 3
E |-------5-------8---| |-----8----10---| |-----10----12-----|
B |-------5-------8---| |-----8----10---| |-----10-------13--|
G |-------5----7------| |--7----9-------| |--9--------12-----|
D |-------5----7------| |--7-------10---| |-----10----12-----|
A |-------5----7------| |--7-------10---| |-----10----12-----|
E |-------5-------8---| |-----8----10---| |-----10----12-----|

Position: 4             5                 5 (one octave down)
E |-------12------15--| |-----15----17--| |-----3----5-------|
B |----------13---15--| |-----15----17--| |-----3----5-------|
G |-------12---14-----| |--14-------17--| |--2-------5-------|
D |-------12---14-----| |--14-------17--| |--2-------5-------|
A |-------12------15--| |-----15----17--| |-----3----5-------|
E |-------12------15--| |-----15----17--| |-----3----5-------|

Notice how position 5 is both up at the top of the fretboard and at the bottom
of the fretboard below position 1? That happens because every 12 frets the whole
thing repeats itself. Fret 15 always equals fret 3 one octave higher, fret 17
always equals fret 5 one octave higher. Now here below is the total extended
scale presented to you again so that you can diligently practice it until you
remember it by heart (this could take years):


Key= A
Pos:  5       1       2       3     4
E |------3----5-------8------10----12---------15----|
B |------3----5-------8------10--------13-----15----|
G |---2-------5----7------9--------12-----14--------|
D |---2-------5----7---------10----12-----14--------|
A |------3----5----7---------10----12---------15----|
E |------3----5-------8------10----12---------15----|

       weekly archive | more scales | tricks

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Guitar Lesson: Extended Major Pentatonic Scale

Extended Major Pentatonic ScaleMore Scale Extensions
This section won't make a lot of sense unless you have already read the
  pentatonic scale
  major pentatonic scale
  extended pentatonic scale

Please go read those sections first. Without some background information, this
will look like a big complicated mess and won't teach you very much.




The Extended Major Pentatonic Scale
We know that we can play the same pentatonic scale in two different positions
during a song to get two different effects out of one set of tricks. Since we
are working in the key of A, here are the two scales that can be used for A:

Key= A
Minor Pentatonic                      Major Pentatonic

E |-----5---------8------10-------|E |-----2---------5------7--------|
B |-----5---------8------10-------|B |-----2---------5------7--------|
G |-----5-----7------9------------|G |-----2-----4------6------------|
D |-----5-----7-------------------|D |-----2-----4-------------------|
A |-----5-----7-------------------|A |-----2-----4-------------------|
E |-----5--------8----------------|E |-----2--------5----------------|

We also know that the pentatonic scale can be extended to cover the whole
fretboard:

Key= A
Extended Minor Pentatonic

Pos:  5       1       2       3     4
E |------3----5-------8------10----12---------15----|
B |------3----5-------8------10--------13-----15----|
G |---2-------5----7------9--------12-----14--------|
D |---2-------5----7---------10----12-----14--------|
A |------3----5----7---------10----12---------15----|
E |------3----5-------8------10----12---------15----|



Then it stands to reason that the major pentatonic can also be extended to cover
the whole fretboard:

Key= A major
Extended Major Pentatonic

Position      1       2      3     4          5
E |------0----2-------5------7-----9----------12---14---|
B |------0----2-------5------7---------10-----12---14---|
G |-----------2----4------6--------9------11-------14---|
D |-----------2----4---------7-----9------11-------14---|
A |------0----2----4---------7-----9----------12---14---|
E |------0----2-------5------7-----9----------12---14---|



Here are the 5 hand positions for the extended major pentatonic.

Key= A major
Extended Major Pentatonic

Position: 1      2               3                
E |--2-------5-| |-----5----7--| |----7----9-----| 
B |--2-------5-| |-----5----7--| |----7------10--| 
G |--2----4----| |--4-----6----| |-6-------9-----| 
D |--2----4----| |--4-------7--| |----7----9-----|
A |--2----4----| |--4-------7--| |----7----9-----|
E |--2-------5-| |-----5----7--| |----7----9-----|

  4              5
E |--9------12-| |----12---14--|
B |----10---12-| |----12---14--|
G |--9----11---| |-11------14--|
D |--9----11---| |-11------14--|
A |--9------12-| |----12---14--|
E |--9------12-| |----12---14--|



In a rock/blues (B.B. King, Smashing Pumpkins, whatever) song, we can move from
one scale to the other at will. We can also mix the two scales together. Here
are the two scales written together as the extended combination scale:

Key= A major
Minor Pentatonic PLUS Major Pentatonic

E |--0---2---3-------5-------7---8---9---10------12------14---15----|
B |--0---2---3-------5-------7---8-------10------12--13--14---15----|
G |------2-------4---5---6---7-------9-------11--12------14---------|
D |------2-------4---5-------7-------9---10--11--12------14---------|
A |--0---2---3---4---5-------7-------9---10------12------14---15----|
E |--0---2---3-------5-------7---8---9---10------12------14---15----|
       Be careful with the extended combination scale, it is really easy to get
      lost.
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