May 2009 \ Premier Clinic \ Rock \ Variations on the Pentatonic Scale

Variations on the Pentatonic Scale

Eric Halbig

Variations on the major and minor pentatonic scales
Premier Guitar May 2009
If you know the pentatonic scale forms, you should use them creatively across the length of the fretboard. Usually, each idea is demonstrated five times, starting on each tone of the minor pentatonic scale.

You will find occasional major pentatonic examples, too, but remember: all of these ideas can be applied to any kind of pentatonic scale.

Variation 1 — Sliding Combinations

Minor Pentatonic
The first combination is relatively simple. The purpose is to get a wider range by sliding from one form to the next.

Combining Forms 1 and 2

Combining Forms 2 and 3

Combining Forms 3 and 4

Major Pentatonic
Combining Forms 1 and 2

Combining Forms 3 and 4

     

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Comments

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UsernameComment
Charles Perrien
on 06/20/2010 		Very interesting. I will give it a try. I've been away from the guitar for over 30 years. Just getting back into relearning. I played folk and classical guitar for eight years before marriage got in the way, and my guitar got stored away.
vbreck2
on 04/24/2009 		thanks! as a teacher I am always looking for new and fresh ideas. As always you set the standard in guitar magazines.



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