How To Use Pentatonic Scale Pattern 5 In Your Guitar Solos

In today’s lesson, we are going to learn how to use pentatonic scale pattern 5 in our guitar solos.  This is the final scale pattern that we need to learn to expand to the next octave on the guitar.  This means, if we play in the key of G minor at the third fret (where the note G is located) we will end up on the 15th fret (where the G is located) in the next octave.

Span the entire fretboard

This will allow us to span the entire fretboard because the scales will then start over again always connected together in the same order.  That is what is great about these pentatonic scales.  They always (and I do mean always) follow the same order, they create a road-map on the entire fretboard, and once you learn where to play them in a key you’ll build confidence to know that you will sound good every time you play!

Fretboard road-map

As I have mentioned many times in my lessons and will probably mention it in future lessons (because it is that important) you want to build a fretboard road-map with your scales.  You also want to do that with chords for rhythm playing but that is for another lesson.

What is also great about these scales is that you can choose to play just one if you like the way it sounds.  And since they all have a different shape, the licks and emotion that you can create from them are different.  This allows you to build your own style of playing and create the kind of guitar magic that is unique to you and your style of playing.

Most guitar players who start playing guitar solos don’t build a road-map.  Maybe they learn the first couple of scales and that’s it.  Then when they get out of the box pattern they start not sounding good.  Why?  Because they are driving off-road.  Build the road-map as I suggest and you will do just fine.

Pentatonic scale pattern 5

After you learn the other 4 scale patterns you want to then learn scale pattern 5.  This is the final puzzle piece.  You need to remember where it is located in the sequence.  In this example above, it is in the key of A minor.  This means it is located at the 15th fret.  Pattern one would then start at the 17th fret which is the A note in the second octave.  Can you see how this works?

If you look at these patterns individually ( I call them patterns for easier learning) you will see very clearly that they connect like puzzle pieces.  And they begin where the previous one left off.  Once you get this concept down, all you have to do then is just remember the intervals in each pattern and stay within them.

Playing in any key

Once you learn them in a key like say the A minor at the 5th fret, you can then start to learn to play them in other keys.  Like for instance, E minor, C minor, G minor, etc.  You can even play them in major keys as well like G major, B major D major, etc.  The only difference is that when you play in the major keys, you ‘ll start with box pattern 2.  That is because this pattern is the major pentatonic scale.

Even so, the patterns always stay in the same order.  So even if you play in G major and start with pattern 2 in the first position, the patterns will still be in the same order.  So now the first pattern will become pattern 5.  But if your playing in the minor keys, the first box pattern (most common) will be considered the 1st one.

It takes a bit to get a full understanding of the difference between major and minor pentatonic scales, but if you work with them enough you’ll figure it out.  Then once you do, it will open up the flood gates and you’ll be playing solos for hours on end.

Additional help

I know all this major, minor stuff can be a bit confusing sometimes.  Where to play each scale in what key and how to play them to sound like solos instead of just running up and down the scales.  I had the same problem too.  That is why I wrote my book Lead Guitar Wizardry.  To help people figure this stuff out in an easy manner without having to struggle as I did.

When I first started there was no internet, blog posts, and Youtube videos.  There were only books, magazines, friends and private teachers.  I couldn’t afford to go to a private teacher until much later in life so I studied books and learned what I could from friends.  After years of acquiring a library of books, I was able to write my own and make it easy to learn from.

Lead Guitar Wizardry volume 1 is a step-by-step method book for anyone looking to learn how to play guitar solos or anyone looking to get a better understanding of the guitar solos that they are already playing.

This book is written with easy to understand lesson plans that are easy to learn and provide you with quick results.  Packed with diagrams that will show you the secret concepts and principles as they relate to playing lead guitar.

You’ll learn such things as:

*How to create your own guitar solos

*The 5 pentatonic scale patterns

*Reading music notation

*Chord progressions to solo over

*Transposing keys to solo in

*Understand secret concepts and principles

*Ear training for hearing notes better

*Techniques such as finger tapping and arpeggios

And much, much more.  This book along with volume 2 is packed with information that will help you to develop the skill set of becoming a lead guitar wizard!  You just need to dedicate yourself to daily study and practice and you can do it.  With the right training, you’d be amazed at what you can accomplish!

Lesson conclusion

So wait no further, dive in and learn pentatonic scale pattern 5 and add it to your creativity and fretboard knowledge.  Practice these scales daily and create the fretboard road-map that is necessary to stay in key.  I guarantee that if you do this correctly, you’ll sound good every time.  But don’t take my word for it, try it out for yourself.  And if you need additional help, grab my book.

The book can be found on Amazon in both print and Kindle versions.  It can also be found in my eBay store where if purchased here I will send you a personalized author copy from yours truly.

Also, be sure to check out my other lessons that can help improve your guitar playing.  And if you have any questions about what I teach or what you might be learning, feel free to reach out.

Chord Progressions That Work With The Minor Pentatonic Scale

Until our next lesson, take care.

Sincerely, Dwayne