The Guitar A Minor Pentatonic scale is a foundational element for any aspiring guitarist, especially those eager to dive into lead guitar playing. It’s renowned for its versatility and ease of learning, making it the perfect gateway to crafting your own riffs and improvisations. If you’re just starting your guitar journey and want to explore soloing, the A minor pentatonic is your essential starting point.
Like its relative major, the C major scale, the A minor pentatonic scale is wonderfully straightforward, containing no sharps or flats. This simplicity allows you to focus on technique and musicality right from the beginning.
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Decoding the Notes of the A Minor Pentatonic Scale
Despite its powerful sound, the A minor pentatonic scale is built from just five notes. As you explore the fretboard, you’ll discover these notes repeating in different octaves, expanding your sonic palette. These five core notes are:
- A
- C
- D
- E
- G
Interestingly, these same five notes are nestled within the seven notes of the C major scale. Furthermore, the notes A, C, and E form the very basis of the A minor triad chord, highlighting the scale’s harmonic roots.
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Exploring Positions on the Guitar Fretboard
There are multiple ways to navigate the A minor pentatonic scale across your guitar neck. In this lesson, we’ll focus on mastering two key positions. The first position starts at the 5th fret of the low E string, a comfortable mid-neck location. The second position shifts higher, beginning at the 12th fret of the low E string. Experiment with both to appreciate the tonal variations each position offers.
To guide you, we’ll use guitar charts. These diagrams visually represent your guitar’s fretboard. Numbered dots indicate where to place your fingers to play the scale notes. The numbers correspond to your fretting hand fingers:
- Index finger
- Middle finger
- Ring finger
- Pinkie finger
White dots represent open strings, played without fretting.
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A Minor Pentatonic Scale Chart: 5th Position (Low Register)
Begin by placing your index finger on the 5th fret of the low E string. Extend your pinkie to the 8th fret on the same string. As you play through this scale pattern, notice that your index finger anchors the 5th fret across all six strings. Your ring and pinkie fingers will then cover either the 7th or 8th fret to complete the scale shape in this position.
Alt text: Guitar chart diagram showing the A minor pentatonic scale 5th position, indicating finger placement and frets.
A Minor Pentatonic Scale Chart: 12th Position (High Register)
Now, let’s ascend to a higher octave and play the A minor pentatonic scale starting at the 12th fret of the low E string. Similar to the 5th position, your index finger will again be key to navigating the pattern across most strings. However, on the B string, you’ll shift to your middle finger to fret the 13th fret.
Study the diagram below to visually compare the 5th and 12th position patterns of the A minor pentatonic scale. Then, play the 12th position and listen to the brighter, higher-pitched tone.
Alt text: Guitar chart diagram illustrating the A minor pentatonic scale 12th position, detailing finger positions on the fretboard.
A Minor Pentatonic Scale Guitar Tabs
Guitar tabs offer another way to visualize and learn scales. To play the scale smoothly across strings, you’ll sometimes need to shift your hand position. For example, on the third string (G string), you’ll shift your index finger down to the 4th fret to play the B note and then use your middle finger for the C note at the 5th fret. The D note on this string is reached with your pinkie at the 7th fret. After this, shift your index finger back up to the 5th fret as you move to the first and second strings (high E and B strings).
A Minor Pentatonic Scale Tabs: 5th Position (Lower Octave)
Let’s delve into the tab for the lower octave 5th position A minor pentatonic scale. We’ll start on the low E string (the thickest string). The first note of the scale, A, is found at the 5th fret. Consider the 5th fret as your “home base” for your index finger in this position. You’ll play two notes on each string as you move across the fretboard.
For the wider stretch from the 5th to the 8th fret, using your index and pinkie fingers respectively is generally easiest. For the shorter interval between the 5th and 7th frets, using your index and ring finger often feels more natural. Now, try playing the scale in reverse (descending).
e|---------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------------------------|
G|---------------------------------------------------|
D|---------------------------------------5-7---------|
A|-------------------------------5-7---------------|
E|-5-8-----5-8-----5-7-----5-7---------------------|Alt text: Guitar tab for the A minor pentatonic scale 5th position, showing fret numbers on each string.
A Minor Pentatonic Scale Tabs: 12th Position (Higher Octave)
Another approach is to play the scale an octave higher. We’ll again start on the low E string but this time at the 12th fret. You’ll play the same notes as in the lower octave version, but the finger pattern will appear slightly different visually on the fretboard due to the octave shift.
Begin on the 12th fret of the low E string, stretching to the 15th fret on the same string. Repeat this interval pattern on the A string. The pattern changes slightly on the D string, where you’ll play the 12th fret followed by the 14th fret. This 12th and 14th fret pattern repeats on the G string before changing again on the B string. On the B string, you’ll play the 13th fret, then the 15th. Finally, conclude the ascending scale on the high E string, playing the 12th and 15th frets.
e|-----------------------------------------12-15-----|
B|---------------------------------13-15-------------|
G|-------------------------12-14---------------------|
D|-----------------12-14-----------------------------|
A|---------12-15-------------------------------------|
E|-12-15---------------------------------------------|Alt text: Guitar tab for the A minor pentatonic scale 12th position, clearly marking fret numbers for each string.
Building Chords from the A Minor Pentatonic Scale
What if you want to transform the five notes of the A minor pentatonic scale into full, rich chords? We can build triads – chords made of three notes – from the scale. Triads consist of a root note (giving the chord its name), a third (either major or minor), and a perfect fifth. Here are the key chords harmonically related to the A minor pentatonic scale, each containing three notes from the scale.
A Minor (Am)
The A minor (Am) chord is composed of the root note A, the minor third C, and the perfect fifth E. Learn to play the A minor chord here.
C Major (C)
The C major chord includes the root note C, the major third E, and the perfect fifth G. Learn how to play the C major chord.
D Minor (Dm)
The D minor (Dm) chord features the root note D, the minor third F, and the perfect fifth A. Discover how to play Dm here.
E Minor (Em)
In the E minor (Em) chord, the root note is E, the minor third G, and the perfect fifth B. Here’s how to play Em.
G Major (G)
The G major chord is made up of the root note G, the major third B, and the perfect fifth D. Find out how to play the G major chord.
Essential A Minor Pentatonic Scale Exercises for Guitar
To truly internalize the A minor pentatonic scale, consistent practice is key. Practice playing the scale both ascending and descending. Start with the root note A, then play C, D, E, G, and ascend to a higher octave A. Use the 5th position pattern for these notes. Then, work your way back down the scale, starting from the high A, descending through G, E, D, C, and back to the low A.
For an advanced exercise, incorporate alternate picking while playing the scale. This will not only refine your ear but also develop crucial dexterity in both your fretting and picking hands. Varying your picking techniques will open up new rhythmic possibilities in your playing.
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