Home › Forums › Beginner Guitar Discussions › Pentatonic Scales
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January 17, 2014 at 6:16 pm #5404
As I take my guitar journey from the beginning. I thought I would introduce the E minor & E major pent. shapes in addition to my lessons as outlined by Brian ( from Brians’ videos). I will eventually have to learn it and I’m thinking it can only help me with fret & picking practicing . I have a question regarding pentatonic scale/shape learning. When practicing ( learning ) where should the student start at ? The !st. string or the 6th string ? I am not sure if the proper way is from low E to High E or the other way around. Or does it even matter ? Any help is appreciated . I understand I will playing the scale/shape up and down as part of my practicing it. Thanks !
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January 17, 2014 at 7:24 pm #12911
Hey Trapper,
I am going to refer you to Brian’s lessons on the subject, that I am aware of. From the Guitar Lessons Page, on the left there is a link to a Blues Lead Guitar Course. In the Introduction to that course Brian mentions practicing techniques and a video for that. Pattern One is the Pentatonic scale, and a video that goes along with it. I’m sure there are more lessons available. I am fairly new here, so I haven’t scoured every corner of the site yet, but it seems that all of your needs can be found here. You can watch those videos and I’m sure it won’t interfere with the lessons you’re working on.
I am working on the Blues Lead Course. I have learned most of the licks for pattern one. In the past, I had learned the Pentatonic patterns, So this is a refresher, with the bonus of applicable licks to play as I move along.
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January 17, 2014 at 7:36 pm #12912
Thanks DM ! I just looked and believe Brian has added tabs showing scales in both major and minor in different keys.
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January 17, 2014 at 8:50 pm #12913
In response to the question of which string to start on, I think it best to learn the shape both ways so you “climb” up the scale (from the low E to the high E) and then climb back down. If you practice it both ways you probably will learn it better.
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January 17, 2014 at 8:55 pm #12914
Thanks MrPhosita Just what I’m going to do.
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January 17, 2014 at 9:23 pm #12915
It really doesn’t matter whether you learn a given pattern beginning on the 1st or 6th string. Personally, I found it easier learning the ascending scale patterns and had to put a little more effort getting proficient with the descending scales but everyone is different. Learning and understanding the patterns themselves is what matters.
Brian’s blues course has tablature for the 1st position minor pentatonic scale in all keys. The pattern is the same for the relative major pentatonic scale, ie. the A minor pentatonic involves the same pattern and fret position as the C major pentatonic. This is true for the 7 note scale versions, as well. Ditto for the other 4 major/minor pentatonic scale positions. This relationship derives from the fact that in a 7 note diatonic scale the key signatures are the same for the major scale (say C) as for the scale beginning on the 6th note (Am).
There is a similar relationship, as Brian explains in several of his videos, whereby you simply move your pattern down three frets in order to play a major scale in the related key as the minor. So, in the case of the A minor 1st position played on the 5th fret, you play the same pattern on the 2nd fret and you are playing in A major. There is thus a relationship between A major and F# Minor just as there is for Am and C major. Same thing up and down the fretboard.
In the end it’s about knowing the patterns. You can then play any major or minor scale whether it’s pentatonic or full major or minor scales. The scale relationships are fascinating. It also helps to know where the major and minor tonic notes are within each scale pattern. If you have the patterns down this becomes very easy. In the case of the minor pentatonic, the relative major begins on the second note above the minor tonic which is true for all positions. If you’re learning style is different just look at it as the minor is the next note below the major. It’s all really the same thing.
You may want to check out some of the free lessons on the Gibson website, as well. I’ve found Steve Krenz to be a fantastic compliment to what Brian is doing on Active Melody. Steve is certainly an outstanding jazz guitarist and his approach to teaching is very down to earth like Brian’s.
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January 17, 2014 at 10:09 pm #12916
Thank you LesPaul58 ,
I saw the major / minor 3 fret example . I am perhaps too eager to learn , perhaps not ! I think I should start by learning 1st position of both major & minor in order to lay a foundation for later. I will learn the other 4 positions as I progress . I think it is interesting to bring up Steve Krenz with Learn & Master . It is interesting because I am currently waiting to receive the complete pkg from L&M . I have looked at many faces offering help in teaching someone like myself to learn how to play. Brian was an obvious choice and so was Steve . You have made me realize I have made 2 excellent choices, I also believe they will compliment each other perfectly.Thanks
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January 17, 2014 at 11:48 pm #12919
@trapper42 wrote:
Thank you LesPaul58 ,
I saw the major / minor 3 fret example . I am perhaps too eager to learn , perhaps not ! I think I should start by learning 1st position of both major & minor in order to lay a foundation for later. I will learn the other 4 positions as I progress . I think it is interesting to bring up Steve Krenz with Learn & Master . It is interesting because I am currently waiting to receive the complete pkg from L&M . I have looked at many faces offering help in teaching someone like myself to learn how to play. Brian was an obvious choice and so was Steve . You have made me realize I have made 2 excellent choices, I also believe they will compliment each other perfectly.Thanks
you know, i like Steve Krenz too he is pretty straight forward with his lessons
and his lesson doesnt begin with heeeeeeyyyyy waz up
when i first started learning off the internet, i was looking for every lesson i could find,and it really wasnt working so good. there were just to many people/sites saying you should do it this way or that way .so i finally narrowed it down to just couple that i really felt like i could learn from and stuck with them
everyone understands things and learns things differently and at different speeds
there can be to different teachers teaching the exact same thing, in different ways ,and you might see the light with one teacher and still not understand what you learned from the other. so i feel its important to find the teacher that you can really connect with and learn what your after
just my 2 cents Butch -
January 18, 2014 at 12:23 am #12921
I could not agree with you more Deluxe . At this point in my life I have learned alot from different masters. It is not an impulsive/compulsive thing for me, I do my home work . By reading reviews and listening , I know what quality is .I refuse to waste my time and money with posers. I want only the best for myself and I know I am going to get it . There will only be a desire to get with some pickers in order to jam together and have some fun ! I have no unrealistic expectations. What I do have are 2 very good instructors , people I can get help from and a ton of time to practice everyday . It’s perfect !
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January 21, 2014 at 10:00 am #12975
Hi Trapper
Here’s how I approach it with students. I first show the chord shape that goes with the pentatonic position.
for eg. the A minor and major pentatonics at the 5th fret and the A major and minor bar chords at that fret.
First play the chord and then the scale just to familiarize your self with the sound.
Then take Two strings at a time, starting with the top or highest pitched strings and play short licks/riffs/melodies with just the notes on those two strings.
Much of what you play is made of short phrases on adjacent strings so there is a lot you can do with just two strings at a time.
—-5
7–8 these are the frets we will start with on the top two strings.
—-5
7–8
All these notes will work over major and minor chords. ( the note on the high string 8th fret will be a little dissonant over major chords)There are a number of “double stops” (two notes sounded together) that are very common to use.
The pair at the 5th, 7th and 8th all work well together. Others like —-8–
-7—-
are good as well.The notes on the 7th fret can be bent a semitone or half step up, and the notes on the 8th fret are both commonly bent a whole step up. Try holding the note on the first string 5th fret while bending the second string 8th fret note up till they are the same pitch. Very common bend in rock and blues.
Try ‘hammer ons’ and ‘pull offs’ as well as picking. Sliding into notes from above or below too.You can spend alot of time with just two strings, then move to the second and third strings, find the notes from the scales and work just those two strings, eventually work with all three strings to make longer phrases and licks.. Repeat on 3rd and 4th strings etc. etc.
I recommend learning the intervals as well.
For this eg. they are on the highest string Root, Second or Nineth, minor third or flat third
second string Fifth, Sixth, dominant seventh or flat seventhHope this helps
Gordon -
January 21, 2014 at 2:22 pm #12978
Thanks Gordon .
Your input is greatly appreciate it .I will give it a go. sounds like it could be a fun exercise.
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