Another vital thing to note is that the note G comes after the note C on the circle of fifth.

It is also widely used in popular songs today.  Knowing the scale and the notes in the scale will help play along with some of your favorite songs.  The G major scale also becomes quite handy in actual playing scenarios because many singers sing in the key of G, and a lot of music pieces are written in the key of G.

The G major scale is a fun and essential scale to learn in music. This article will introduce you to the G major scale.

G Major Scale

The G major scale, which also is referred to as the key of G, is a major scale based on the note G. The pitches (notes) in the G major scale are G, A, B, C, D, E, and F#. Although we are yet to talk about key signatures, it is important to know that the key signature of G major has only one sharp, and that is F#.

Unlike the C major with no sharp and flat, the G major scale has a single sharp note. A simple finger counting will reveal that the note E is a sixth above the note G.  The relative minor scale of the G major is E minor.

When you are counting, you will see that there are seven different musical notes in the scale. But these notes become eight when you repeat the first note at the end of the scale (octave).

Root Note of G Major Scale Guitar

Remember that whenever the G major scale or any other scale is played, the first (root) note is always repeated at the end of the scale, although one octave higher. With the G major, the repeated note is G.

Whenever we repeat the root note this way at the octave, we musically summarize or “round off” the scale to make it sound complete. However, it would sound somewhat incomplete and unsettling if we stopped the scale on the F# note.

By checking it out yourself, you would notice that if it ended on F#, the scale would sound like it is hanging in mid-air. Therefore, it becomes necessary to include the final G note in both illustrations and actual play, depending on the situation.

G Scale Chart

The charts shown below show the position of each note within the G major scale and the notes.

Looking at this scale closely, you will spot a familiar scale pattern that repeats itself on every major scale. The pattern is:

Whole, whole, half; whole, whole, whole, half

(W – W – H – W – W – W – H)

• The interval between G and A is a whole-step
• The interval between A and B is a whole-step
• The interval between B and C is a half-step
• The interval between C and D is a whole-step
• The interval between D and E is a whole-step
• The interval between E and F♯ is a whole-step
• The interval between F♯ and G is a half-step

Scale Degree Names Explained

• The 1st note–The tonic.
• The 2nd note–The supertonic
• The 3rd note–The mediant.
• The 4th note–The subdominant.
• The 5th note – The dominant.
• The 6th note–The submediant.
• The 7th note–The leading note.

Remember that all musical scales are infinite, which means that they keep going on and on without an end in both directions (the higher and lower pitches). The illustrations above show the scale in just one octave. However, remember that this same pattern repeats itself across the entire piano keyboard.

G Major scale Patterns – Fingering the G Major Scale on the Guitar

Pattern 1

We start with the first pattern on the scale.  The root note is on the third fret of the sixth string (E). So the scale starts on the root note, which is G.  Play through the pattern one major scale by starting with your second finger on the G, and then your fourth finger on the A (sixth string, fifth fret).

Move up the scale by placing your first finger on the fifth string (A), second fret and your second finger on the fifth string, third fret, and then your fourth finger on the fifth string, fifth fret.   Follow the tab below and play up the scale and then back down.

Take your time working through the scale, paying attention to the notes and the fingering.  I usually have students say the notes out loud as they play through the G major scale on their guitar.  Don’t be discouraged if it is not easy at first.  You need to continue to practice every day, and you will get it – I promise.

Pattern 2

Once you are comfortable moving through the first pattern, move on to the second pattern of the scale.  Take the time to learn the first pattern and develop the muscle memory playing up and down the scale.  After that, understand the connection between the first and second patterns.  The second pattern connects to the first pattern on the fourth fret.  This is an important part of understanding the scales as you move up and down the neck of the Guitar.

Pattern 2 is an easy pattern to learn.  The key to pattern two is to remember that you are hitting all of the notes on the fifth fret and seventh fret and then adding the eighth fret on the first, second, and sixth strings and adding the fourth fret on the third and fourth strings.  I have seen guitar players play their licks in the key of G just on the fifth and seventh fret – and it sounds excellent!

The root note is on the fourth string, the fifth fret (in red below), and the second string eighth fret (in red below).

Take your time working through the scale, paying attention to the notes and the fingering. Work your way up and down the pattern, and then add the first pattern to your practice routine.  The key is practice, practice, practice!

Pattern 3

Time to move on to the third pattern of the scale – once you are comfortable with the first and second patterns.  Be sure to learn the first and second patterns before moving on to the third pattern.  Look at the connection between the first, second, and third patterns and understand where the root note is within it.

The fingering for pattern three begins on the seventh fret.  Place your first finger on the sixth string, the seventh fret, then your second finger on the sixth string eighth fret, and then your fourth finger on the sixth string, the tenth fret. Notice that the pattern is the same on the sixth string, second string, and first string.  This makes it easy to memorize. I have students work on those three patterns and then add the fifth, fourth, and third-string patterns.  Once you get those patterns down, work up and down the scale in the third pattern.

The root note will always be in the same pattern position no matter what key you are playing in.  The root note in the G Major scale for the third pattern is on the fifth string tenth fret and the second string, eighth fret.

Pattern 4

Are you ready? Let’s move on to the fourth pattern of the G major scale guitar.  You should be comfortable with the first three patterns by now.  If you are working on these patterns for 30 to 60 minutes each day, you will get good at them!

Look at the connection between the first, second, and third patterns and understand where the root note is within each pattern.  The key to learning how to navigate the guitar neck is knowing where the root note position is in each pattern. As you will start to notice, the position of the root note within the pattern will always be the same!

The fourth pattern connects to the third pattern on the ninth fret.  The root note is on the fifth string, 12th fret, and the third-string 14^th fret.

This pattern appears to be complicated. You will start on the ninth fret and end on the thirteenth fret, which plays over five frets. You will be leaving your first finger off on the sixth string and sliding it up one fret on the second string.  Just practice the scale up and down, and you will get it.

Pattern 5

We are starting to get way up there on the neck of the Guitar. If you are practicing with an acoustic guitar that does not have a cutaway, you may have trouble moving on with this pattern – which is OK. However, working with a guitar with a cutaway that allows more access to the higher notes on the fretboard will make it much easier to work with this pattern.

The pattern starts on the 11^th fret and extends to the 16^th fret.  The root notes are on the 14th fret of the third string and both E strings on the seventeenth fret.  Notice the notes of the octave in this pattern.

If you begin the scale on the first and second frets, the root notes are on the third string second fret, and both E strings on the fifth fret.  This pattern is much easier to work within the A scale.

Solfege Syllables And System

“Solfege” is a music notational system that assigns specific syllables to each musical scale degree, in order for us to be able to sing the notes of that scale and learn the special sound of each one of those notes. The solfege system has proven to be such a powerful learning tool in aural perception (ear training).

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That is the big secret to learning the guitar!  Learning how to put the chords together through chord progressions in a systematic way will help you with your chord groupings and chord changes and you will become a good guitar player!

You do not need to be an expert in music theory to play guitar. Many rock guitarists are not experts in music theory.  They have trained themselves to play the guitar by ear – that is, by listening to other musicians and building on their skills by playing along to songs.  I have heard interviews from guitarists joking around about how little they know about music theory.

There is a common-sense element to playing music and playing guitar.  That is, if it sounds good, it is right.  The other side is true as well.  If it sounds terrible, then it is wrong!  For many, that is the extent of their music theory.

There are elements of music theory that are easy to learn and are essential for building your guitarist skills.  Although you do not need to be an expert in music theory to start playing guitar, it is important to learn music and music theory fundamentals.

The key fundamentals that you should learn are:

1. The notes on the neck of the guitar. Know how to find any note on the neck of the guitar. See Guitar String Notes
2. Major Scales and Minor scales.
3. Pentatonic scales
4. Chord Progressions

In this lesson, we will focus on guitar chord progressions – but we will first start by learning about chords.

What Is A Guitar Chord?

Learning the fundamentals of a guitar chord is important for learning chord progressions. Before diving into learning about chord progressions, let’s cover the basics of a guitar chord.

Guitar chords are a big reason why playing the guitar has become so popular. Almost anyone can learn basic chords and be able to play a song on the guitar.

A chord is the layering or stacking of several musical tones played simultaneously. In another way, we can say that we produce a chord when we play two or more musical notes simultaneously.  Guitar power chords are typically played with just two notes.

This also means that chords are not limited to instruments like the guitar or piano; when several vocalists, trumpeters, or even trombonists come together to sound different musical notes simultaneously, a chord is produced.   We can also safely call it harmony.

When a choir or an orchestra sings different musical pitches simultaneously and then keeps moving to other pitches with every other player or singer, singing or playing a complimenting pitch, then we can safely say that there is a chordal or harmonic movement.

Chords are built from the grouping of three notes called triads. A triad is a set of three notes stacked in thirds.  Playing thirds means that you start on the 1^st degree of the scale and count it as one.  You then count to the 3^rd degree of the scale and then the 5^th degree of the scale.

So, for example, if you look at the A major scale guitar, you have A-B-C#-D-E-F#-G#.  The first degree in the A major scale is A. Then count to the 3^rd from A, and you have C#.  Count to the 3^rd (5^th degree) from C#, and you have E.   Below, see the open A chord with notes A-E-C#.

Another example is the G major scale guitar of G-A-B-C-D-E-F#.  If you start counting from the root of the scale, which is G and count to the third, you have B.  Count to the third from B, and you have D.  So, the chord of G is G-B-D.

When you look at the chord chart, you will see the chord’s notes identified on the bottom of the chart.  You will notice that there are only three notes in the chord.  Most new students are surprised by this!

Polyphonic instruments (such as the guitar or piano) can produce more than one note at a time, while monophonic instruments are limited to making one note at a time.  Even though chords are typically played on polyphonic instruments, it is still possible to create chords when several monophonic instruments (such as a woodwind quintet) play together in harmony. Now let’s look at what a chord progression is.

What is a Chord Progression?

A chord progression is any series of chords played in a song.  It refers to the order in which chords are played in a song/piece of music. When you play different songs, you will see other ways in which songwriters order chords.

We can also say that chord progressions are a series of chords played in a set order on a scale, usually comprising of at least 2 or 3 chords.  A chord progression plays a big part in how your song turns out to sound at the end.

A particular chord at a certain point in a chord progression can drastically change the form of your song from happy to sad with one simple chord choice.

Just one major, minor, or augmented chord can’t do much for a song. A chord must be combined with other chords to create a song. Even the most simple, repetitive progressions of chords have the power to present a very complex array of emotions and musical ideas.

We have happy chord progressions, sad chord progressions, simple chord progressions, and very complex chord progressions.

With a solid and engaging chord progression as your base, other elements of your song—like lead melodies or bass lines become much easier to come up with based on the chords you’ve chosen and where they sit.

If you have some trouble writing a song and don’t know where to start with your arrangement, chord progressions are absolutely the way to go. I have written many songs by just first creating a good sounding chord progression.

Many pop stars and songwriters use this method too; all they have to do to get started is to create a clear and sweet-sounding chord progression.

How to Create Chord Progressions

You will notice as you play along to songs, different songs have the same type of chord changes. There is a pattern to the way chords are used in songs.  A chord progression is a series of chords and the sequence of chords used in a song. They can go together in all sorts of ways, but they are typically drawn from a scale.

Remember the Roman Numerals

Chords grow on scales just like plants grow on the soil. Because all the note-to-note music relationships remain the same, you can use symbols or roman numerals as a timesaving shorthand to understand chord progression. Roman numerals are the symbols most commonly used to describe how chords work within different keys.

What makes this so great is that if you’re like most players who are not very fond of complicated music theory concepts: All of music’s major and minor keys feature the same repeating sequence of chords.

All you need to do is to memorize just two sequences, and you’ll have a straightforward way to understand chord progressions.  The following chart is a useful guide to use for building your chord progressions.  It is a helpful chart to know the notes of your scales.

The first line in the chart is the A major scale. The notes of the A major scale are A-B-C#-D-E-F#-G#.  As you use this chart to build out your chord progressions, you will see which interval of the scale is a minor chord and which chord is a major chord.

Major Chord Progression Chart

The following are the chord types based on the interval of the scale.  You will see the major chords are the intervals I, IV, V

●       I– Tonic – Major Chord

●       ii – Supertonic – minor Chord

●       iii – Mediant – minor Chord

●       IV – subdominant – Major Chord

●       V – Dominant – Major Chord

●       vi – Submediant – Minor Chord

●       vii – Leading Tone – Diminished Chord

The major scale intervals are:

1  W  2  W  3  H  4  W  5  W  6  W  7  H  1

W stands for a whole step (distance between 2 guitar frets), while H stands for a half step (or one fret interval). Using the C major scale as our example (You can apply this major scale intervals to any musical note; what it means is that you have changed the key you’re playing in.)

C  W  D  W  E  H  F  W  G  W  A  W  B  H  C

All you have to remember now is that the 1st, 4th, and 5th chords of a major scale chord progression will always be major chords (showed by capitalized roman numerals), while the 2nd, 3rd, and 6th chords will always be minor (lower roman numerals).

The 7th chord is usually either minor or diminished, depending on which sounds acceptable to you. Remember that this is for major keys. What this implies is that the chords in the key of C major are as follows:

C  W  Dm  W  Em  H  F  W  G  W  Am  W  Bm  H  C

In summary, we can say that;

• C is the Tonic Chord- I (Major)
• Dm is the Supertonic – ii (minor)
• Em is the Mediant – iii (minor)
• F is the Subdominant – IV (Major)
• G is the Dominant – V (Major)
• Am is the Submediant – vi (minor)
• Bm is the Leading chord – vii (minor)

From all we have learned so far, you can see that if we’re using the chords in C major as an example, our very basic chord progression will look like this:

C-Dm-Em-F-G-Am-Bdim

The example below shows the chords in the key of C, but chord progressions can be in every other major key as well.

For B Major, see our page on the B Major Chord.

Five Fundamental Rules of Chord Progression

If you follow these five fundamental chord progression rules, making music and creating chord progression will become a lot easier for you.

1. Choose a key to compose in (Keys like the C major, G major, A minor, and E minor are useful keys to start with for beginners)
2. Work out the primary chords (I, IV, V). Build your progressions with these primary chords. Then, move on to include some secondary chords (ii, iii, vi) to develop your chord progressions further.
3. Always begin and end your chord progression on the first chord (chord I -the tonic).
4. Try using some common chord progressions.
5. Try adding some circle progressions.

Most Common Chord Progression

Now that we have discussed the chords in the key of C, you can start playing some cool chord progressions using those key of c chords. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner guitarist or a seasoned player, you can play any chord progression you want in any key since it’s just a matter of substituting the chosen notes key learning the chords required to play a progression.

Here are a couple of some very common chord progressions in C major. Remember that the 1st, 4th, and 5th chords are major, and the 2nd, 3rd, and 6th chords are minor.

• I – V (C – G)
• I – vi – ii – V (C – Am – Dm – G)
• I – IV (C – F)
• I – vi – IV – V (C – Am – F – G)
• I – vi (C – Am)
• I – vi – ii – vii (C – Am – Dm – Bdim)
• I – IV – V (C – F – G)
• I – vi – IV – vii (C – Am – F – B dim)
• I – ii – V (C – Dm – G)
• I – vi – V (C – Am – G)

Circle Progression

Whenever you hear the name circle Chord Progressions, know that they are progressions where the chords seem to follow each other naturally. We can also say that circle progression is where the chords’ roots relate to each other, specifically by ascending 4ths or descending 5ths.

We consider circle progressions to be harmonically powerful because they pull our ear toward one chord being the tonic or root chord.

They’re very satisfying; you’ll probably see an innovative use for circle progressions in the choruses you write because they’re so strong and easily identifiable. Good examples are;

• I – iv – vii – iii – vi – ii – v – i – C – F – Bdim – Em – Am – Dm – G – C
• I – iv – v – vi – C – F – G – Am

Quick Reference Sheet For Chord Progressions

Minor Scale Chord Progression

The above explanations were specific to major scale chords. Still, if you wanted to experiment with minor chord progressions, you would first need to specify what chords are in the given key, based on the minor scale intervals:

1  W  2  H  3  W  4  W  5  H  6  W  7  W  1

In the minor realm, the order of chord qualities is different. The minor scale kicks off from of the 6th note of the major scale, so these are the chord qualities you would use for minor scale progressions:

• i – minor
• ii – diminished
• III – major
• iv – minor
• v – minor
• VI – major
• VII – major

And here is a table to make things easier. A (minor) is highlighted to give you a reference point:

Note; even though it’s not very common, there are still plenty of songs out there built on just two repeating chords.

If you’re a beginner to songwriting, I would recommend starting with the simple method by building a chord progression with just two or three chords. Give yourself the time and freedom to explore putting chords together because it is the only way to compose something that works. Use the charts above to play some basic progressions, then build your own based on what sounds good. There are no actual rules for progressions. It’s up to your ear to decide in the end.

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The notes in the A major scale for guitar are A-B-C♯-D-E-F♯-G♯ following the major scale intervals of W-W-H-W-W-W-H

• The interval between A and B is a whole-step
• The interval between B and C♯ is a whole-step
• The interval between C♯ and D is a half-step
• The interval between D and E is a whole-step
• The interval between E and F♯ is a whole-step
• The interval between F♯ and G♯ is a whole-step
• The interval between G♯ and A is a half-step

A Major Scale Guitar Patterns

Pattern 1

We start with the first pattern on the scale.  The root note is on the fifth fret of the sixth string (E).  The scale starts on the root note, which is A.  Play through the pattern one major scale by starting with your second finger on the A, and then your fourth finger on the B (sixth string, seventh fret). Play up the scale and then back down.

Take your time working through the scale, paying attention to the notes and the fingering.  I usually have students say the notes out loud as the play through the scale.

Pattern 2

Move on to the second pattern of the scale.  Take time to learn the first pattern, and then understand the connection between the first and second pattern.

Pattern 2 is an easy pattern to learn.  The key to pattern two is to remember that you are hitting all of the notes on the seventh fret and ninth fret and then adding the tenth fret on the first, second, and sixth strings and adding the fourth fret on the third and fourth strings.

I have seen many guitars player play up and down the seventh and ninth frets and bending the strings to hit the D and A notes.

The root note is on the fourth string, seventh fret, and the second string tenth fret.

Again, take your time working through the scale, paying attention to the guitar notes and the fingering. Work your way up and down the pattern, and then add the first pattern to your practice routine.

Pattern 3

Move on to the third pattern of the A major scale.  Take time to learn the first pattern and second patterns before moving on to the third pattern.  Look at the connection between the first, second, and third patterns and understand where the root note is within it.

The root note will always be in the same position of pattern no matter what key you are playing in.  The root note in the A Major scale, the third pattern is on the fifth string 12^th fret and the second string, 10^th fret.

Pattern 4

Let’s move on to the fourth pattern of the A major guitar scale.  Take time to learn the first pattern, second and third patterns before moving on to the fourth pattern.  Look at the connection between the first, second, and third patterns and understand where the root note is within it.

The fourth pattern connects to the third pattern on the 12^th fret.  The root note is on the fifth string, 12th fret, and the third-string 14^th fret.

Pattern 5

This pattern may be hard to reach if you play this on an acoustic guitar without a cutaway.  The pattern starts on the 11^th fret and extends to the 16^th fret.  However, this pattern connects to the first pattern of the A major scale on guitar beginning on the first and second fret.

The root notes are on the 14th fret of the third string, and both E strings on the 17^th fret.  Notice the notes of the octave in this pattern.

If you begin the scale on the first and second guitar frets, the root notes are on the third string second fret, and both E strings on the fifth fret.  This pattern is much easier to work within the A scale.

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Learning the major scale is not merely about learning how to create solos.  Many people think that learning scales is all about creating solos – it is much more than that.  You will learn how to solo on a major scale, but knowing the major scale is the foundation of understanding music theory.

What is the Major Scale?

The major scale is a seven-step scale that is built on whole steps and half steps.  No matter what note you start on (tonic), you can play the same structure up and down the neck.  The major scale steps are:

W-W-H-W-W-W-H

The W equals a whole step, and the H equals a half step.  Half steps are on the 3^rd and 7^th intervals of the scale.

Let’s take the A major scale as an example.  The notes in the A scale are A-B-C♯-D-E-F♯-G♯ following the major scale intervals of W-W-H-W-W-W-H.

• The interval between A and B is a whole-step
• The interval between B and C♯ is a whole-step
• The interval between C♯ and D is a half-step
• The interval between D and E is a whole-step
• The interval between E and F♯ is a whole-step
• The interval between F♯ and G♯ is a whole-step
• The interval between G♯ and A is a half-step.

Major Scale Guitar Positions

Like with the pentatonic scales, the major scale patterns can be played anywhere on the guitar’s neck.  These patterns are movable patterns in that you play these based on the key of the song you are playing.   The tonic or root note defines where you play each of these patterns on the guitar.

However, the patterns are all the same.  Memorize the patterns!

We used the A major scale to illustrate how the notes are grouped on a major scale.  For learning the major scale positions, we are going to be in the key of G.  Why? Because it is a widely used scale, and it provides a clean start with position one on the fretboard.   This makes it easy to learn.

The notes in the G scale are G-A-B-C-D-E-F♯ following the major scale intervals of W-W-H-W-W-W-H.

• The interval between G and A is a whole-step
• The interval between A and B is a whole-step
• The interval between B and C is a half-step
• The interval between D and D is a whole-step
• The interval between D and E is a whole-step
• The interval between E and F♯ is a whole-step
• The interval between F♯ and G is a half-step.

Major scale guitar – Pattern 1

We start with the first pattern on the scale, and this pattern starts with the root note of the scale.

The root note (G) is on the third fret of the sixth string (E).  Although the first note in the scale is G, we will begin on the scale exercise on F♯ , which is the second fret on the sixth string.

Play through the scale by starting with your first finger on F♯, and then the second finger on the G, and then your fourth finger on the A (sixth string, fifth fret). Play up the scale and then back down following the fingering placement on the chart below.

Take your time working through the scale, paying attention to the notes and the fingering.  Play along to the recording below.  It just takes practice.

Major scale guitar – Pattern 2

Now let’s move on to the second scale pattern.  Learn the connection between the first and second patterns.   The patterns connect on the fifth fret, so you will already know this part of the pattern.  Look at where the pattern extends to the seventh fret.

Pattern 2 is a nice easy pattern to learn.  The key to pattern 2 is to remember that you are hitting all of the notes on the fifth fret and seventh fret and then adding the eighth fret on the first string, second string, and sixth string.  Also, the pattern adds the fourth fret on the third and fourth strings.

I have seen many guitar players jam in this pattern by playing up and down the fifth and seventh frets and bending the strings to hit the C and G notes.

The root note is on the fourth string, fifth fret, and on the second string, eighth fret. Pay attention to where the root notes and how the octaves relate to each other.

Take your time and work through the scale paying attention to the notes and the finger placements. Work your way up and down the pattern, and then add the first pattern to your practice routine.  Play along to the recording below.

Major scale guitar – Pattern 3

Take the time to learn the first pattern and second patterns before moving on to the third pattern.  Look at the connection between the first, second, and third patterns and understand where the root note is within it.

The root note will always be in the same position of the pattern no matter what key you are playing in.  The root note in the G Major scale, the third pattern, is on the fifth string, tenth fret, and the second string, eighth fret.

Major scale guitar – Pattern 4

Look at the connection between the first, second, third, and fourth patterns and understand where the root note is within the pattern.

The root note has two positions in pattern four. The root is on the fifth string, 10th fret, and the third-string, twelfth fret with the G major scale.  You can play these two notes together to get that excellent octave sound.  This octave can be played up and down the neck of the guitar.

Play along to the pattern four recording below, practice the pattern up the scale, and then back down.

Major scale guitar – Pattern 5

The bottom section of the pattern connects to the first section of the first pattern.  There are three root notes in this pattern.  Two of the root notes fall on the first string and sixth string.  These root notes are an octave above the root notes in pattern one!

If you are playing this pattern on an electric guitar, you will reach this section of the guitar’s neck.  If you practice on a dreadnought acoustic guitar or an acoustic guitar without a cutaway, you may have some trouble reaching the 15th fret.  You will have to work on stretching your fingers to get there.

Play along to the pattern five recording below, practice the pattern up the scale, and then back down.

In summary, learning the major scale will help you long term in your guitar playing.  Understanding this basic guitar theory will provide you with the skills you need to play along with songs and jam with other people.

Anyone can learn these patterns.  It may seem frustrating at first, but if you continue to practice, it will become second nature to you.  When you know which note in the pattern is the root, you will play any of these patterns to any song.

You do not need to worry about being fast, either – that will come.  Just learn the patterns.

If you’re ready to move on, see B Major Chord for Guitar.

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They are also easy to learn.  Each scale consists of five patterns of five notes that can be played in any key up and down the fretboard.

You are basically learning the patterns and applying them to different positions on the neck of the guitar.  By doing this, you are learning the notes within the scales.  This helps in playing licks in different keys.

The pentatonic scale is a five-tone scale which consists of five notes.  A major scale will have seven notes in the scale, but the major pentatonic scale removes the 4^th and the 7^th intervals to make it a five-note scale.

It helps to know the pentatonic scales before working with the major scales.  After you work with the pentatonic scales and are comfortable with them, you can add the 4^th and the 7^th intervals to make a major scale.

I recommend learning these early in your guitar learning process.  By practicing these scales, your fingers become accustomed to picking individual notes, and you develop the coordination between your fret hand and your picking hand.

Best Way to Learn Pentatonic Scales

The best way to learn the pentatonic scales is by memorizing the five patterns of the scale.  These patterns are used to play up and down the neck of the guitar.  However, many guitarists stay within one or two patterns when they are playing their “licks” on a song

Let’s take a look at the five patterns of the pentatonic scale.  We will look at the key of G major.  It uses all of the open strings on the guitar and is one of the most commonly used in songs

G Major Pentatonic – First Pattern

The notes of the G major pentatonic first position are G-A-B-D-E. The G major scales start with open strings.  When you start to play this scale, you will start with an open string and finish on a fretted note.

Since this is G major pentatonic, we are starting on the G note. To play this scale, start with the bottom E string, place your third finger on the third fret of the bottom E string and pick the string.

Next, pick the open A string (fifth string.)  Then place your second finger on the second fret of the A string and pick the string.

Pick the open D string (fourth string) and then place your second finger on the D string’s second fret and pick the string.

Follow this pattern all the way to the top E string (thinnest string). After you pick to the top E string G Note, work your way back down to the bottom E string.

When you first try this, don’t worry about your picking style with your right hand (or left hand if you are left-handed).  Unless you want to work on your fingerpicking style, you should use a pick to pick the strings.

After you are comfortable with the pattern, try using alternate picking styles.  Pick down on one note, and then pick up on the next.  This will build your picking style (and speed.)

Using the Pentatonic Scale as both Minor and Major

What is the difference between a major pentatonic and a minor pentatonic?  In terms of the patterns – there is no difference. The pentatonic scales can function both as a minor and major.  The difference in which scale you play is dependent on the piece of music.  If the song centers on a major chord (G), you play the G major pentatonic.  If the song is in a minor key (Em), then you play the Em pentatonic.

We are working with our notes in the G major pentatonic scale, but the same scale can be translated as the E Minor pentatonic scale.

The diagram below is the E minor pentatonic with the root of E.  You can play the E minor chord (Black B and Red E) over the E minor pentatonic.

With the same pattern, we can play the G major chord (Red G, Black B) over the G major pentatonic.

The only difference between the two scales is which note functions as the root or tonal center of the scale.

When you use E minor pentatonic, the E note serves as the tonal center of the scale.  It is the note that you start with. When you use the G major pentatonic, the G note serves as the tonal center.

When you look at the Em pattern 1, the first note in the pattern defines the tonal center.

Both scales use the same five patterns (even though we are just looking at pattern 1.) The difference is the key that you are playing in.

The relative minor of the major scale is drawn from the sixth degree of the major scale.  The major and minor pentatonic scales are matched as follows:

• A Maj/F# Min
• B Maj/G# Min
• C Maj/A Min
• D Maj/B Min
• D#Maj/C Min
• E Maj/C# Min
• F Maj/D Min
• G Maj/E Min

G Major Pentatonic – Second Pattern

This is the 2nd Position of the Pentatonic scale. It continues where the 1st Position left off.  The notes are played between frets 2 and 5.  The key to learning this is to visualize this pattern first and then learn the notes.

The root note of the second pattern is G.  Play the note with your second finger on the third fret of the E string and then play the next note (A) with your fourth finger on the fifth fret of the E string.  Continue through the rest of the pattern with the finger patterns, as shown above.

If you learn the first pattern and second pattern of this scale, you cover six frets. That’s half of the fretboard!  When you study solos from lead guitarists, many of them only cover three or four frets!

The fingerings shown on these patterns are the technical way of playing the scale – one finger per fret.  This is the best technique if you are looking to build your skills long term for playing guitar.

However, it is not the only way.  You will see many rock guitarists use their first three fingers to play all the fretboard notes.   Many guitarists claim that they have more control and strength playing the notes this way.  It is a matter of preference.

Practice this scale by playing it up and then back down.

When you feel comfortable, try starting with the first pattern and ending with the second pattern.

G Major Pentatonic – Third Pattern

The third pattern connects with the second pattern on frets 4 and 5.

The third pattern of the pentatonic scale is different in that it spans 5 frets instead of four.  Most guitar players use their first finger to hit the notes on frets four and five.  Again, the key is to visualize and memorize the pattern as you play through the notes.

I recommend attaining a level of comfort with the first two patterns before working with the third pattern.  This pattern can be more difficult for the beginner.

G Major Pentatonic – Fourth and Fifth Patterns

The fifth position of the G major pentatonic ends as it begins, with the notes G-A-B-D-E and thus, it begins all over again.  This pattern is completely symmetrical and is easy to memorize and play.

When putting this all together to practice and learn, start with the first two patterns.  Play through both patterns and play them ascending and descending.  Start in different sections of the patterns and work your way up and then down.

Movable scale patterns

Each of the patterns can be played in any key!  These are movable patterns.  The diagrams below show the F minor pentatonic.

All you have to do to play F minor pentatonic is move your pattern up one fret, and now you are playing the F minor pentatonic or the G# pentatonic. The pattern shape stays the same!

As you practice these scales, move the patterns up and down the neck.  For example, take the first and second patterns and start with G major/E minor.  Work up and down through the notes of the scale.  After you do this, move to G# major/F minor and repeat the process.

If this is the first time you are working through the scales, you will be frustrated at first.  But if you practice consistently every day and are persistent at this, you will have it down in no time.

I have watched new guitar players practice these patterns 30 minutes a day (or more) for 60 days.  At the end of 60 days (and before 60 days), these people were flying through the scales.  Anyone can learn these, but you do have to practice at least 30 minutes a day.

There is no reason why you can’t!

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