There Must Be Something Lacking In A 5 Note Pentatonic Scale
The question arises from time to time as to what are the pentatonic guitar scales and why are they so important to the guitar player. What makes them so special? They are only five notes from the scales which equates to them being 2 notes short. Wouldn’t it be better to just use the entire scale?
It all starts with music theory. If you understand that every major chord has a relative minor than you will understand the construction of pentatonic scales. The relative minor of a major chord is of course the same notes as the major chord only it starts on the sixth note of the chord. For example the C Major’s scale relative is A Minor which is the sixth note of the C Major scale.
Now that we have a knowledge of the theory behind major and relative minor chords the pentatonic guitar scales are much easier to understand and learn. Remember in the opening paragraph we mentioned that pentatonic scales have 5 notes instead of the full 7 of the scale. Well to achieve this we don’t just remove two random notes from the scales. We remove the the two half steps from the scale. Going back to music theory we know that the major scale has two half steps. By removing the two half steps we’re left with movable patterns which we call pentatonic guitar scales.
We call these patterns movable because their patterns don’t change, only the keys which relate to the fret you began on. We mentioned the A Minor scale as being relative to the C Major scale but the key of C Major also contain the D and E Minor chords. We do not change our pattern when playing these chords but we simply start on a different fret. On the 10th fret without changing your fingering you will be playing the D minor pentatonic scale and if you were to start on the 12th fret with the same fingering you will be playing the E minor pentatonic scale.
As you study music theory and how chords are constructed the pentatonic guitar scales will become clearer and you’ll be able to easily apply them to your playing technique. At first glance one may say that the scale is lacking notes and therefore can’t possibly be correct or effective. But as you learn proper improvising theory along with chord construction you’ll began to see that by using all 3 of the minor pentatonic guitar scales that are derived from a major scale you will be covering every note of that scale. In essence you will have at your disposal a full arsenal of notes but in a more flexible, movable pattern.
