Pentatonic Modal Studies

by Michael Chodosh
I got this idea from a Jimi Hendrix song, Little Wing. Even today I often hear
students (and fellow teachers) talk about how brilliant Jimi Hendrix was. He
often exhibited a different way of looking at things which is (at least in my
opinion) one of the most important ingredients for true brilliance. In this
case, I am referring to his ability to see the obvious shapes that link chords
and scales together.
What I've done is link five sets of pentatonic scales: minor, major and minor
flat five (or half diminished) to the corresponding chord. I have included
enough pentatonic scales to cover one major key entirely. You will play each
chord and then it's corresponding pentatonic scale in one key. I am calling it a
modal study even though the sound is more rock or blues oriented, not the jazz
sound that most people associate with the word "modal".
Regarding the form for each scale: I do not use the relative major or minor
pentatonic scales in the same study but use (instead) the scale that would start
at the same point on the guitar. Each pentatonic scale in this study has two
notes per string so the scales will correspond to the lower or the higher note
on the string that has the root note on it. For example: if the first pentatonic
scale starts with the lower note (of the two) on a certain string then all three
scales (major, minor, diminished) will start at that point or, if the scale root
is at the higher of the two notes on that string then all three of the scales
studied will start at that point and so on.
There are five sets of pentatonic scales and so will be five studies. The first
will probably be the only one most of you will ever use but I like to be
complete with my studies so I am going to write all of them out for you. What
you will see on the first study will probably be the most obvious connection
between chords and scales but being thorough never hurt anyone in particular, it
never hurt a musician.
Pentatonic Modal Study #1
Lower Note 6th String Study
Here's how it started. After noticing how this E minor chord fits this E minor
pentatonic scale while playing the song " Little Wing"

+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
1 | | 1 1 1 12th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| 3 4 | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
|
|
6th string
1st string
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
1 1 1 1 1 1 12th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| 3 3 3 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
4 | | | 4 4
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
|
|
6th string
1st string
I looked for more of the same type of relationship with other chords using the
"rules" which I laid out for you at this address: Pentatonic Modal Studies .
Now, my next step was to match up a major chord with a major pentatonic scale,
which was easy.
this E major chord matches
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
1 | | | 1 1 12th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | 2 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| 3 4 | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
|
|

this E major pentatonic scale

6th string

1st string

+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| 1 1 1 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
2 | | | 2 2 12th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | 3 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
4 4 4 | 4 4
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
|
|
6th string
1st string
Those two chords and scales are really easy to find in the song "Little Wing"
and throughout a great many blues songs that you'll come across. The next one
wasn't so easy. I had to match up a half diminished chord to a half diminished
scale so I used a standard minor 7 flat five chord (yes four notes not three)
and I flatted the fifth degree in the minor pentatonic scale as you will see
below.
this E half diminished chord matches
scale
X
X
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | 1 |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
2 | 3 4 | | 12th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
X
X
|
|
6th string
1st string
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | 1 |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
1 1 1 1 | 1 12th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |

this E minor flat five pentatonic

| 2 | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | 3 3 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
4 | | | 4 4
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
|
|
6th string
1st string
Now you have enough scales for the pentatonic modal study in one key. No,
they're not modes. They are the pentatonic scales that are within each mode.
They sound great because they outline the chord you are thinking about with a
wonderful type of simplicity.
Try this. We will use the key of E minor (E natural minor) which is relative to
G major, to start. I picked this key as it is the same key that "Little Wing"
is in.
In E natural minor (the Aeolian mode) the chords are E minor, F# half
diminished, G, A minor, B minor, C, and D.
First play the chord then the corresponding scale.

Em
E:-0----------------------0-3-0---------------------B:-0------------------0-3-------3-0-----------------G:-0--------------0-2---------------2-0-------------D:-2----------0-2-----------------------2-0---------A:-2------0-2-------------------------------2-0-----E:-0--0-3---------------------------------------3-0-F#m7b5
E:------------------------2-5-2---------------------B:-1------------------1-5-------5-1-----------------G:-2--------------2-4---------------4-2-------------D:-2----------2-4-----------------------4-2---------A:--------2-3-------------------------------3-2-----E:-2--2-5---------------------------------------5-2-G
E:-3----------------------3-5-3---------------------B:-3------------------3-5-------5-3-----------------G:-4--------------2-4---------------4-2-------------D:-5----------2-5-----------------------5-2---------A:-5------2-5-------------------------------5-2-----E:-3--3-5---------------------------------------5-3-Am
E:-5----------------------5-8-5---------------------B:-5------------------5-8-------8-5-----------------G:-5--------------5-7---------------7-5-------------D:-7----------5-7-----------------------7-5---------A:-7------5-7-------------------------------7-5-----E:-5--5-8---------------------------------------8-5-Bm
E:-7----------------------7-10-7---------------------B:-7------------------7-10------10-7-----------------G:-7--------------7-9----------------9-7-------------D:-9----------7-9------------------------9-7----------

A:-9------7-9--------------------------------9-7-----E:-7-7-10----------------------------------------10-7C
E:-8--------------------------8-10-8------------------------B:-8---------------------8-10--------10-8-------------------G:-9-----------------7-9------------------9-7---------------D:-10-----------7-10-------------------------10-7-----------A:-10------7-10----------------------------------10-7-------E:-8--8-10--------------------------------------------10-8--D
E:-10--------------------------10-12-10-------------------------B:-10---------------------10-12--------12-10--------------------G:-11-----------------9-11------------------11-9----------------D:-12------------9-12----------------------------12-9-----------A:-12-------9-12--------------------------------------12-9------E:-10-10-12------------------------------------------------12-10Em (XII pos)
E:-12--------------------------12-15-12--------------------------B:-12---------------------12-15--------15-12---------------------G:-12----------------12-14------------------14-12----------------D:-14-----------12-14-----------------------------14-12----------A:-14------12-14---------------------------------------14-12-----E:-12-12-15-------------------------------------------------15-12Don't stop now! At the very least, play back down the neck to where you
started. In other words go to the 10th position and play the D pentatonic scale/
chord then the C at the 8th then the B minor at the 7th and so on.
May I suggest? Go further up the neck until you cant play any higher and then
come back down.
Look at this. These are the notes going further up the neck. They repeat
themselves after the 12th fret. Look at the 12th fret as you would the open
position notes.
12th
15th
17th
19th
21st- frets
|
|
|
|
|
|-E-|---|-F#|-G-|---|-A-|---|-B-|-C-|---|-D-| -1st string
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|-E-|---|-F#|-G-|---|-A-|---|-B-|-C-|---|-D-| -6th string
Then, come back down.
cant go wrong.

Stick to only the chords you've already played and you

E minor, F# minor b5, G, A minor, B minor, C and D.

Pentatonic Modal Study #2
4th String Study
Now that you understand how to use this lesson I will simply lay out the set of
pentatonic scales and chords with an example of how to practice them at the end.
The following will be the three chords: major, minor and half-diminished and the
three pentatonic scales which we will assign to them. The numbers that name the
scales (for example: 1/4) tells us where the root note to the scale is located
on the guitar. The "1" represent which finger plays the root note and the "4"
tells us which string. So, "1/4" = the first finger finds the root on the /
fourth.

E minor chord
The 1/4 minor pentatonic scale
X
X
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | 1 | | | 2nd fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
2 | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | 3 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | 4 |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
|
|
6th string
1st string
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| 1 1 1 | | 2nd fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
2 | | | 2 2
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | 3 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
4 4 4 | 4 4
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
|
|
6th string
1st string
E major chord
The 2/4
X
X
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | 1 | | | 2nd fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
2 | | 3 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | 4 |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+

pentatonic scale.

X
|
6th string

X
|
1st string

+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | 1 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
2 2 2 | 1 1 2nd fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
4 4 4 4 | 3
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | 4 |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
|
|
6th string
1st string
E minor 7 b5 chord
The 1/4
X
X
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | 1 | | | 2nd fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
2 | | 3 4 |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
X
X
|
|
6th string
1st string
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| 1s | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | 1 1 | | 2nd fret
| | | | | |

minor flat 5 pentatonic scale

+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
2 | | 2 3 2
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
4 4 4 | 4 4
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
|
|
6th string
1st string
Now, as in study number one, you have enough scales to work on all of the
pentatonic scale/chord studies in one key. Try this. We will still be using
the key of E minor.
In E natural minor (the Aeolian mode) the chords are E minor, F# half
diminished, G, A minor, B minor, C, and D.
First play the chord then the corresponding scale.
Em
E:----------------3-5-3-----------------------------B:-5----------3-5-------5-3-------------------------G:-4------2-4---------------4-2---------------------D:-2--2-5-----------------------5-2---------------2-A:----------------------------------5-2-------2-5---E:-3------------------------------------5-3-5-------F#m7b5
E:----------------5-7-5-----------------------------B:-5----------5-7-------7-5-------------------------G:-5------4-5---------------5-4---------------------D:-4--4-7-----------------------7-4---------------4-A:----------------------------------7-3-------3-7---E:-5------------------------------------7-5-7-------G
E:----------------5-7-5-----------------------------B:-8----------5-8-------8-5-------------------------G:-7------4-7---------------7-4---------------------D:-5--5-7-----------------------7-5---------------5-A:----------------------------------7-5-------5-7---E:-7------------------------------------7-5-7-------Am
E:----------------8-10-8-----------------------------B:-10---------8-10------10-8-------------------------G:--9------7-9--------------9-7----------------------D:--7--7-10--------------------10-7---------------7--A:---------------------------------10-7-------7-10---E:--8----------------------------------10-8-10-------Bm
E:------------------10-12-10--------------------------------B:-12----------10-12--------12-10---------------------------G:-11------9-11------------------11-9-----------------------D:--9--9-12--------------------------12-9------------------9A:---------------------------------------12-9---------9-12--E:-10----------------------------------------12-10-12-------C
E:-------------------10-12-10-------------------------------------

B:-13-----------10-13--------13-10-------------------------------G:-12-------9-12------------------12-9---------------------------D:-10--10-12--------------------------12-10--------------------10A:-----------------------------------------12-10---------10-12---E:-12-------------------------------------------12-10-12---------D
E:-------------------12-14-12-----------------------------------B:-15-----------12-15--------15-12------------------------------G:-14------11-13------------------14-11-------------------------D:-12-12-14----------------------------14-12------------------12A:------------------------------------------14-12--------12-14--E:-14--------------------------------------------14-12-14-------Em (XIV pos)
E:--------------------15-17-15------------------------------B:-17------------15-17--------17-15-------------------------G:-16-------14-16------------------16-14--------------------D:-14--14-17----------------------------17-14-------------14A:-------------------------------------------17-14---14-17--E:-15---------------------------------------------17--------Make sure to play back down the neck to where you started or (once you're
advanced) progress to the top of the neck and then play back down to the lower
frets. In all of these exercises you can play to the top of the neck and down
to the lowest frets as long as you stick to the chords that are in the key you
are playing:
E minor, F# minor b5, G, A minor, B minor, C and D.
Pentatonic Modal Study #3
Upper Note 5th String Study
Here is this set of pentatonic scales and chords with the example of how to
practice them at the end. The following will be the three chords: major, minor
and half-diminished and the three pentatonic scales which we will assign to
them. The numbers that name the scales (for example: 4/5) tells us where the
root note to the scale is located on the guitar. The "4" represent which finger
plays the root note and the "5" tells us which string. So, "4/5" = the fourth
finger finds the root on the /fifth string.
E minor chord
The 4/5 minor pentatonic scale
X
X
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | 1 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | 2 | 3 | 5th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| 4 | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |

| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
X
X
|
|
6th string
1st string
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | 1 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
2 2 2 | 1 1 5th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
4 4 4 4 | 3
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | 4 |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
|
|
6th string
1st string
E major chord
The 4/5
X
X
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | 1 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | 2 | 5th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | 3 | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| 4 | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
X
X
|
|
6th string
1st string

+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
1 1 1 1 | 1
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |

pentatonic scale

| | | | 2 | 5th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | 3 3 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
4 4 | | 4 4
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
|
|
6th string
1st string
E minor 7 b5 chord
The 4/5
X
X
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | 1 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| 2 3 | 4 | 5th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+-----+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
X
X
|
|
6th string
1st string
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | 1 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
2 2 2 | 1 1 5th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
3 | | | | 2
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| 4 4 4 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | 4 |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
|
|
6th string
1st string

minor flat 5 pentatonic scale

Now, as in study number one, you have enough scales to work on all of the
pentatonic scale/chord studies in one key. Try this. We will still be using
the key of E minor.
In E natural minor (the Aeolian mode) the chords are E minor, F# half
diminished, G, A minor, B minor, C, and D.
First play the chord then the corresponding scale.
Em
E:-------------5-7-5---------------------------------B:-5--------5-8-----8-5------------------------------G:-4-----4-7-----------7-4---------------------------D:-5--5-7-----------------7-5------------------------A:-7-7-----------------------7-5-----5-7-------------E:------------------------------7-5-7----------------F#mb5
E:--------------7-8-7--------------------------------B:-7--------7-10-----10-7----------------------------G:-6-----5-9-------------9-5-------------------------D:-7--7-9-------------------9-7----------------------A:-9-9-------------------------9-7-----7-9-----------E:--------------------------------8-7-8--------------G
E:----------------7-10-7-----------------------------B:--8---------8-10------10-8-------------------------G:--7------7-9--------------9-7----------------------D:--9---7-9--------------------9-7-------------------A:-10-10--------------------------10-7-------7-10----E:------------------------------------10-7-10--------Am
E:--------------------10-12-10--------------------------------B:-10------------10-13--------13-10---------------------------G:--9--------9-12------------------12-9-----------------------D:-10---10-12--------------------------12-10------------------A:-12-12------------------------------------12-10--------10-12E:-----------------------------------------------12-10-12-----Bm
E:---------------------12-14-12------------------------------B:-12-------------12-15--------15-12-------------------------G:-11--------11-14------------------14-11--------------------D:-12---12-14----------------------------14-12---------------A:-14-14--------------------------------------14-12-----12-14E:-------------------------------------------------14-12-----C
E:---------------------12-15-12----------------------------------B:-13-------------13-15--------15-13-----------------------------G:-12--------12-14------------------14-12------------------------D:-14---12-14----------------------------14-12-------------------A:-15-15--------------------------------------15-12---------12-15E:-------------------------------------------------15-12-15------If you have trouble going higher than this on the guitar just start back down
then neck by going back down. Remember: Em, F#m7b5, G, Am, Bm, C, and D.
D
E:--------------------14-17-14----------------------------------B:15-------------15-17--------17-15-----------------------------G:14--------14-16------------------16-14------------------------D:16---14-16----------------------------16-14-------------------A:17-17--------------------------------------17-14---------14-17-

E:------------------------------------------------17-14-17------Now, either continue up to the end of the neck or go back down through each of
the proper chords: C, Bm, Am, G, and so on.
Pentatonic Modal Study #4
Lower Note 5th String Study
Here is this set of pentatonic scales and chords with the example of how to
practice them at the end. The following will be the three chords: major, minor
and half-diminished and the three pentatonic scales which we will assign to
them. The numbers that name the scales (for example: 4/5) tells us where the
root note to the scale is located on the guitar. The "4" represent which finger
plays the root note and the "5" tells us which string. So, "4/5" = the fourth
finger finds the root on the /fifth string.
E minor chord
The 1/5 minor pentatonic scale
X
X
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| 1 | | | | 7th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | 2 |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | 3 4 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
X
X
|
|
6th string
1st string
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
1 1 1 1 | 1 7th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | 2 |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | 3 3 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
4 4 | | 4 4
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+

|
|
6th string
1st string
E major chord
The 2/5
X
X
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| 1 | | | | 7th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | 3 3 3 |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
X
X
|
|
6th string
1st string

pentatonic scale

+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | 1 1 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
2 2 | | 2 2 7th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
4 4 4 4 4 4
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
|
|
6th string
1st string
E minor 7 b5 chord
The 1/5
X
X
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| 1 | 2 | | 7th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+

minor flat 5 pentatonic scale

| | | | | |
| | 3 | 4 |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
X
X
|
|
6th string
1st string
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
1s | | | | 1s
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| 1 1 1 | | 7th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | 2 | 2 |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | 3 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
4 4 | | 4 4
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
|
|
6th string
1st string
Now, as in study number one, you have enough scales to work on all of the
pentatonic scale/chord studies in one key. Try this. We will still be using
the key of E minor.
In E natural minor (the Aeolian mode) the chords are E minor, F# half
diminished, G, A minor, B minor, C, and D.
First play the chord then the corresponding scale.
Em
E:-----------------7-10-7----------------------------B:-8-----------8-10-------10-8-----------------------G:-9--------7-9---------------9-7--------------------D:-9-----7-9---------------------9-7-----------------A:-7-7-10---------------------------10-7-------7-----E:--------------------------------------10-7-10------F#m7b5
E:---------------------8-12-8--------------------------B:-10-------------10-12------12-10---------------------G:--9---------9-11----------------11-9-----------------D:-10-----9-10------------------------10-9-------------A:--9-9-12--------------------------------12-9--------9E:--------------------------------------------12-8-12--G
E:----------------------10-12-10----------------------------B:-12--------------10-12--------12-10------------------------

G:-12----------9-12------------------12-9-------------------D:-12------9-12--------------------------12-9---------------A:-10-10-12----------------------------------12-10--------10E:------------------------------------------------12-10-12--Am
E:-----------------------12-15-12--------------------------------B:13----------------13-15--------15-13---------------------------G:14-----------12-14------------------14-12----------------------D:14------12-14----------------------------14-12-----------------A:12-12-15--------------------------------------15-12---------12-E:----------------------------------------------------15-12-15---Just for the sake of it (I'm never really sure when to turn around in these
lessons since I am not familiar with your guitar) I'm turning around now. We'll
go down the neck to the B minor at the 2nd fret before turning around again and
heading back up the neck to where we started, E minor.
G
E:---------------------10-12-10------------------------------B:12--------------10-12--------12-10-------------------------G:12----------9-12------------------12-9---------------------D:12------9-12--------------------------12-9-----------------A:10-10-12----------------------------------12-10---------10-E:-----------------------------------------------12-10-12----F#m7b5
E:---------------------8-12-8--------------------------B:-10-------------10-12------12-10---------------------G:--9---------9-11----------------11-9-----------------D:-10-----9-10------------------------10-9-------------A:--9-9-12--------------------------------12-9--------9E:--------------------------------------------12-8-12--Em
E:-----------------7-10-7----------------------------B:-8-----------8-10-------10-8-----------------------G:-9--------7-9---------------9-7--------------------D:-9-----7-9---------------------9-7-----------------A:-7-7-10---------------------------10-7-------7-----E:--------------------------------------10-7-10------D
E:---------------5-7-5-------------------------------B:-7----------5-7-----7-5----------------------------G:-7-------4-7-----------7-4-------------------------D:-7----4-7-----------------7-4----------------------A:-5-5-7-----------------------7-5-----5-------------E:--------------------------------7-5-7--------------C
E:---------------3-5-3-------------------------------B:-5----------3-5-----5-3----------------------------G:-5-------2-5-----------5-2-------------------------D:-5----2-5-----------------5-2----------------------A:-3-3-5-----------------------5-3------3------------E:--------------------------------5-3-5--------------Bm
E:---------------2-5-2-------------------------------B:-3----------3-5-----5-3----------------------------G:-4-------2-4-----------4-2-------------------------D:-4----2-4-----------------4-2----------------------A:-2-2-5-----------------------5-2------2------------E:--------------------------------5-2-5---------------

Now we turn to go back up.

C
E:---------------3-5-3-------------------------------B:-5----------3-5-----5-3----------------------------G:-5-------2-5-----------5-2-------------------------D:-5----2-5-----------------5-2----------------------A:-3-3-5-----------------------5-3------3------------E:--------------------------------5-3-5--------------D
E:---------------5-7-5-------------------------------B:-7----------5-7-----7-5----------------------------G:-7-------4-7-----------7-4-------------------------D:-7----4-7-----------------7-4----------------------A:-5-5-7-----------------------7-5------5------------E:--------------------------------7-5-7--------------and then we end here.
Em
E:-----------------7-10-7----------------------------B:-8-----------8-10-------10-8-----------------------G:-9--------7-9---------------9-7--------------------D:-9-----7-9---------------------9-7-----------------A:-7-7-10---------------------------10-7-------7-----E:--------------------------------------10-7-10------You don't have to follow this particular example. If you can, it's better to
play up the neck as high as you can go and then come back down. Here, I showed
you a typical example that an acoustic guitar player might use. In any case,
make sure to include only these chords which are in the key of E minor (G
major): E minor, F# minor b5, G, A minor, B minor, C and D and then go on to
work it out in other keys.

Pentatonic Modal Study #5

Upper Note 6th String Study
Here is this set of pentatonic scales and chords with the example of how to
practice them at the end. The folowing will be the three chords: major, minor
and half-diminished and the three pentatonic scales which we will assign to
them.

E minor chord
The 4/6

minor pentatonic scale

X X
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | 1 1 | |
| | | | | |

+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| 2 | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
4 | | | | | 12th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
X X
|
|
6th string
1st string

+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | 1 1 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
2 2 | | 2 2
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
4 4 4 4 4 4 12th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
|
|
6th string
1st string
E major chord
The 4/6 pentatonic scale
X X
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | 1 1 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| 3 | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
4 | | | | |12th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+

|
6th string

X
|
1st string

+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
1 1 1 1 1 1
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| 3 3 3 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
4 | | | 4 4 12th Fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
|
|
6th string
1st string
E minor 7 b5 chord
The 4/6
X
X
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | 1 | 1 |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | 2 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
3 | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |12th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
X
X
|
|
6th string
1st string
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | 1 | | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | 1 | |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |

minor flat 5 pentatonic scale

2 2 | | 2 2
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
| | | | 3 |
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
| | | | | |
4 4 4 4 | 4 12th fret
| | | | | |
+--+--+--+--+--+
|
|
6th string
1st string
Now, as in study number one, you have enough scales to work on all of the
pentatonic scale/chord studies in one key. Try this. We will still be using
the key of E minor.
In E natural minor (the Aeolian mode) the chords are E minor, F# half
diminished, G, A minor, B minor, C, and D.
First play the chord then the corresponding scale.

Em
E:-----------------------10-12-10--------------------------B:-------------------10-12-------12-10---------------------G:-9-------------9-12-----------------12-9-----------------D:-9---------9-12-------------------------12-9-------------A:-10---10-12---------------------------------12-10--------E:-12-12-------------------------------------------12-10-12F#mb5
E:--------------------------12-14-12----------------------------B:-10------------------12-13--------13-12-----------------------G:-11-------------11-14------------------14-11------------------D:-10--------10-14----------------------------14-10-------------A:------12-14--------------------------------------14-12--------E:-12-14------------------------------------------------14-12-14G
E:--------------------------12-15-12-----------------------------B:---------------------12-15--------15-12------------------------G:-12-------------12-14------------------14-12-------------------D:-12--------12-14----------------------------14-12--------------A:-14---12-14--------------------------------------14-12---------E:-15-15-------------------------------------------------15-12-15Am
E:--------------------------15-17-15-----------------------------B:---------------------15-17--------17-15------------------------G:-14-------------14-17------------------17-14-------------------D:-14--------14-17----------------------------17-14--------------A:-15---15-17--------------------------------------17-15---------E:-17-17-------------------------------------------------17-15-17G
E:--------------------------12-15-12----------------------------B:---------------------12-15--------15-12-----------------------G:-12-------------12-14------------------14-12------------------D:-12--------12-14----------------------------14-12-------------A:-14---12-14--------------------------------------14-12--------E:-15-15------------------------------------------------15-12-15F#mb5
E:--------------------------12-14-12-----------------------------

B:-10------------------12-13--------13-12-----------------------G:-11-------------11-14------------------14-11------------------D:-10--------10-14----------------------------14-10-------------A:------12-14--------------------------------------14-12--------E:-12-14------------------------------------------------14-12-14Em
E:-----------------------10-12-10--------------------------B:-------------------10-12-------12-10---------------------G:-9-------------9-12-----------------12-9-----------------D:-9---------9-12-------------------------12-9-------------A:-10---10-12---------------------------------12-10--------E:-12-12-------------------------------------------12-10-12D
E:-------------------7-10-7--------------------------B:---------------7-10------10-7----------------------G:--7---------7-9--------------9-7-------------------D:--7------7-9--------------------9-7----------------A:--9---7-9--------------------------9-7-------------E:-10-10--------------------------------10-7-10------C
E:----------------5-8-5-----------------------------B:-------------5-8-----8-5--------------------------G:-5--------5-7-----------7-5-----------------------D:-5-----5-7-----------------7-5--------------------A:-7--5-7-----------------------7-5-----------------E:-8-8------------------------------8-5-8-----------Bm
E:----------------5-7-5-----------------------------B:-------------5-7-----7-5--------------------------G:-4--------4-7-----------7-4-----------------------D:-4-----4-7-----------------7-4--------------------A:-5--5-7-----------------------7-5-----------------E:-7-7-----------------------------7-5-7------------Am
E:----------------3-5-3-----------------------------B:-------------3-5-----5-3--------------------------G:-2--------2-5-----------5-2-----------------------D:-2-----2-5-----------------5-2--------------------A:-3--3-5-----------------------5-3-----------------E:-5-5-----------------------------5-3-5------------Bm
E:----------------5-7-5-----------------------------B:-------------5-7-----7-5--------------------------G:-4--------4-7-----------7-4-----------------------D:-4-----4-7-----------------7-4--------------------A:-5--5-7-----------------------7-5-----------------E:-7-7-----------------------------7-5-7------------C
E:----------------5-8-5-----------------------------B:-------------5-8-----8-5--------------------------G:-5--------5-7-----------7-5-----------------------D:-5-----5-7-----------------7-5--------------------A:-7--5-7-----------------------7-5-----------------E:-8-8------------------------------8-5-8-----------D
E:-------------------7-10-7--------------------------B:---------------7-10------10-7----------------------G:--7---------7-9--------------9-7--------------------

D:--7------7-9--------------------9-7----------------A:--9---7-9--------------------------9-7-------------E:-10-10--------------------------------10-7-10------Em
E:-----------------------10-12-10--------------------------B:-------------------10-12-------12-10---------------------G:-9-------------9-12-----------------12-9-----------------D:-9---------9-12-------------------------12-9-------------A:-10---10-12---------------------------------12-10--------E:-12-12-------------------------------------------12-10-12There, we traveled up the neck a bit then back down to the lower frets and back
up to our starting point at the 12th fret. With all of these exercises I
recommend that you play to the top of the neck and down to the lowest frets as
long as you stick to the chords and scales diatonic to the key you are playing.
In this case: E minor, F# minor b5, G, A minor, B minor, C and D.
Now, why not try this in the 11 other keys? How about melodic or harmonic minor
keys? Can you apply this to a song that you already know? Whatever you do, try
to make it fit your style and have some fun with it.