Minor Pentatonic Scale.
Key of A
Major Pentatonic Scale
Key of A
Root notes.
Key of A
Box Position
The major pentatonic scale uses exactly the same box patterns as the minor pentatonic, but the box patterns are moved back changing the root note position. The difference between the two scales ‘on the fretboard’, is that the box pattern has moved back one box, which then changes the dynamics to make what was a minor scale into a major scale.
As well as looking thoroughly at the major and minor pentatonic scales in each key it can also be good to consider other ways to address lead lines…
Worth Knowing
The pentatonic scale is a good foundation, worth learning, to get a clear idea have a look at the five box positions independently.
Major & Minor Scale
Minor (Aeolian) Scale
Key of A
Major (Ionian) Scale
Key of A
Major Scales
In comparison to the pentatonic scales the major (Ionian) and minor (Aeolian) scales are exactly the same but have some extra notes these are indicated in the diagrams above by their green colour.
Trading Off
Notice how all the notes from the pentatonic are here … the added green notes make …the major & minor scales…where notes can be traded.
Blues Scale
Minor Blues Scale
Key of A
Major Blues Scale
Key of A
The Blues Scale
Another scale that is very similar to the pentatonic scale with a few more notes is the blues scale, these are indicated in the diagrams above by their blue colour.
Notice how all the notes from the pentatonic are here… the added blue notes make, “The Blues Major & Minor Scales”.