Five Major Pentatonic Scale Patterns On The Guitar Fretboard

This article explains the 5 patterns of the major pentatonic scale as taught in our guitar lessons in Jannali. It explains these patterns using the A major pentatonic scale as an example. However, the patterns are exactly the same when played in other keys. You will just need to move the patterns to start on the relevant root note.

Major Pentatonic Scale Pattern 1

Below is the A major pentatonic scale. The numbers inside the dots indicate the fingers to use when practicing this scale. The green dots indicate the root note of the scale. The root note is the note the scale derives its name from. In the example below, the green dots are the note A on the guitar. Thus, this scale is the A major pentatonic scale.

Practice pattern 1 until you can play it fluently. Next, press play on the track below called “Back Up Track in A Major” and improvise (create) a melody over it using only the notes of this scale. Try to create variety in your melody. Some ideas to achieve this are:

• Use techniques such as bends, slides, vibrato, pick tremolo, hammer-ons and pull-offs
• Play notes in the scale that are high in pitch and then contrast with low sounding notes
• Use different rhythms e.g. long notes, followed by a succession of quick (shorter length) notes
• Use silence. That is, you don’t have to play on every beat of the music! Rests are an effective way to give your melody variety

Back Up Track in A Major

 Major Pentatonic Scale Pattern 2

Below is the A major pentatonic scale again. The notes of this scale are now played in a different position on the fretboard. When you move to a different position/pattern, some notes may be higher or lower in pitch. However, they are still the same notes. They are just in a different octave. As before, the green dots indicate the root note of the scale (note A). Memorize this pattern and learn to play it smoothly. Then, press play on “Back Up Track in A Major” (above) and improvise over it using pattern 2.

A Major Pentatonic Scale (Pattern 1 and 2 Combined)

Now that you have improvised with pattern 1 and pattern 2 separately, it is time to put them together. The diagram below shows you patterns 1 and 2 on the guitar fretboard. Play “Back Up Track in A Major” again and improvise using notes of both patterns. When moving from one pattern to another, you may need to use different fingers for practicality and ease.

Major Pentatonic Scale Pattern 3

Below is the pattern 3. As before, learn this pattern. Once you are comfortable with it,  play “Back Up Track in A Major” and improvise over it using pattern 3.

A Major Pentatonic Scale (Pattern 2 and 3 Combined)

The diagram below shows you patterns 2 and 3 on the guitar fretboard. Play “Back Up Track in A Major” and improvise using notes of patterns 2 and 3.

Major Pentatonic Scale Pattern 4

Below is a diagram of pattern 4 of the A major pentatonic scale. Note again the root note position (green dots). The easiest way to remember pattern 4 is that its root is found on the 5th string. Once you know the scale well, play the audio track above again and improvise over it using pattern 4.

A Major Pentatonic Scale (Pattern 3 and 4 Combined)

It is time again to combine the last 2 patterns you have learned. Press play on the track above and practice soloing with patterns 3 and 4 as shown below.

A Major Pentatonic Scale Pattern 5

Below is pattern 5. As before, learn it and use it to improvise over “Back Up Track in A Major”.

A Major Pentatonic Scale  (Pattern 4 and 5 Combined)

Press play once again on the audio track above and practice soloing over it with patterns 4 and 5 as shown below.

A Major Pentatonic Scale (Pattern 5 and 1 Combined)

In the next step, improvise by using notes of patterns 5 and 1 as shown below. Notice that after pattern 5, we have pattern 1 appearing again higher on the fretboard.

Thus, the 5 patterns work in a cycle. After pattern 5, we have pattern 1 again and so on. The diagram below shows you all the 5 major pentatonic scale patterns you have just learned in the key of A. Your final goal will be to press play on the track above and improvise moving around all the patterns.

Want to learn more? To learn the 5 patterns of the minor pentatonic scale click here.