The Major Pentatonic Scale
Another common scale used in Blues is the major pentatonic scale. Its degrees are 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6. Shown below is the E form of the C major pentatonic scale. Notice that the fretboard pattern is the same as that of the D form of the minor pentatonic scale. The difference is the positions of the root notes. The fingering pattern for the major pentatonic scale is three frets lower than that of the minor pentatonic.
E Form (C Major Pentatonic)
D Form (C Minor Pentatonic)
Here is the E form of the C major pentatonic scale. Listen to the recording to hear the sound of this scale against a chord.
Here is a lick which is derived from the E form of the C major pentatonic scale. The fingering used here is different from the scale itself. Once you have learned a scale pattern it is often necessary to change the fingering depending on the type of lick you are playing. Experiment with fingerings for any lick you know until you find the one which suits you best.
Shown below are the other four forms of the C major pentatonic scale. Because these patterns closely resemble those of the minor pentatonic scale, it is important to memorize the scale degrees and particularly the positions of the root notes.
D Form (Pattern Two)
C Form (Pattern Three)
A Form (Pattern Four)
G Form (Pattern Five)
The following examples demonstrate licks played in various forms of the major pentatonic scale. The first one comes from the D form. Remember to analyze the licks and transpose them to other keys.
This next lick is played in the C form. You may have heard BB King play things like this.
Here’s one from the A form which has a Soul flavor. The major pentatonic scale is common in Soul and Gospel music.
This one is played within the G form of the C major pentatonic scale.
