Uploaded December 2017 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Learning all 5 patterns of the minor pentatonic scale.
It’s easy to get stuck playing the first pattern of the pentatonic scale and moving it around to different keys and positions. Learning all 5 patterns will get you out of that habit and allow you to play all over the fretboard in any key.
The first pattern is the easiest to memorize and play, as it is symmetrical, but remember there are 5 patterns that connect like puzzle pieces across the fretboard and allow you to be more dynamic and melodic in your playing.
For scale diagrams of all 5 patterns, follow this link to my website. redhookguitar.com/files/315897/minor-pentatonic-scale-patterns.jpeg I included the #4/b5 blue note variation in the diagrams, but didn’t demonstrate them in the video.
In the key of ‘A,’ here are the notes:
Pattern #1: A C D E G A C D E G A C
Pattern #2: C D E G A C D E G A C D
Pattern #3: D E G A C D E G A C D E
Pattern # 4: E G A C D E G A C D E G
Pattern #5: G A C D E G A C D E G A
Take note of where the root note (the A note in this case) is in each pattern.
Fingering is important and good technique helps you play fluidly and effortlessly. Rules of fingering are as follows:
Starting with your pointer finger on your left hand, if you go to the next fret over, use your middle finger. Two frets over, use your ring finger. Three frets over or more, use your pinky!
Nobody likes to use their pinky, as it’s the weakest finger, but the only way to strengthen it is to use it!
There are variations on fingering and players who break these rules. Find what works for you, as long as it’s logical.
With your right hand, use alternate picking, meaning, alternating your picking strokes, down, then up when ascending the scale. Up, then down when descending the scale.
You can practice the motion on your open strings before playing it with your scale.
Practice these patterns in every key!
Also play these with the blue note or #4/b5 variation.
In the key of ‘A,’ here are the notes:
Pattern #1: A C D D#/Eb E G A C D D#/Eb E G A C
Pattern #2: C D D#/Eb E G A C D D#/Eb E G A C D
Pattern #3: D D#/Eb E G A C D D#/Eb E G A C D D#/Eb E
Pattern # 4: E G A C D D#/Eb E G A C D D#/Eb E G
Pattern #5: G A C D D#/Eb E G A C D D#/Eb E G A
Practice these with a metronome for good timing. Set the tempo to a slow and comfortable tempo, practicing Quarter Notes, Eight notes, triplets, and sixteenth notes, then increasing the tempo over time, as your speed increases.
Learning all 5 patterns of the minor pentatonic scale.
It’s easy to get stuck playing the first pattern of the pentatonic scale and moving it around to different keys and positions. Learning all 5 patterns will get you out of that habit and allow you to play all over the fretboard in any key.
The first pattern is the easiest to memorize and play, as it is symmetrical, but remember there are 5 patterns that connect like puzzle pieces across the fretboard and allow you to be more dynamic and melodic in your playing.
For scale diagrams of all 5 patterns, follow this link to my website. redhookguitar.com/files/315897/minor-pentatonic-scale-patterns.jpeg I included the #4/b5 blue note variation in the diagrams, but didn’t demonstrate them in the video.
In the key of ‘A,’ here are the notes:
Pattern #1: A C D E G A C D E G A C
Pattern #2: C D E G A C D E G A C D
Pattern #3: D E G A C D E G A C D E
Pattern # 4: E G A C D E G A C D E G
Pattern #5: G A C D E G A C D E G A
Take note of where the root note (the A note in this case) is in each pattern.
Fingering is important and good technique helps you play fluidly and effortlessly. Rules of fingering are as follows:
Starting with your pointer finger on your left hand, if you go to the next fret over, use your middle finger. Two frets over, use your ring finger. Three frets over or more, use your pinky!
Nobody likes to use their pinky, as it’s the weakest finger, but the only way to strengthen it is to use it!
There are variations on fingering and players who break these rules. Find what works for you, as long as it’s logical.
With your right hand, use alternate picking, meaning, alternating your picking strokes, down, then up when ascending the scale. Up, then down when descending the scale.
You can practice the motion on your open strings before playing it with your scale.
Practice these patterns in every key!
Also play these with the blue note or #4/b5 variation.
In the key of ‘A,’ here are the notes:
Pattern #1: A C D D#/Eb E G A C D D#/Eb E G A C
Pattern #2: C D D#/Eb E G A C D D#/Eb E G A C D
Pattern #3: D D#/Eb E G A C D D#/Eb E G A C D D#/Eb E
Pattern # 4: E G A C D D#/Eb E G A C D D#/Eb E G
Pattern #5: G A C D D#/Eb E G A C D D#/Eb E G A
Practice these with a metronome for good timing. Set the tempo to a slow and comfortable tempo, practicing Quarter Notes, Eight notes, triplets, and sixteenth notes, then increasing the tempo over time, as your speed increases.
