Learn To Use The Minor Pentatonic Scale For Guitar Solos
Learn to use the minor pentatonic scale for guitar solos. This scale along with the other four will give you your best chance for getting through the solo and staying in key.
And, by adding additional notes to the minor pentatonic scale, you can create a wider variety of musical expressions. You can add more color and emotion to your guitar solos. Plus extend your knowledge of the fretboard and music theory.
The minor pentatonic scale
The minor pentatonic scale is very popular because it works in a variety of ways. It can work in both major and minor chord progressions and musical keys. As well as in multiple music genres like Blues, Rock, Country, Pop & Jazz.
As you can see from the picture above, it is kind of in the shape of a box. That is why it is sometimes called a “box pattern” and because of this shape, it is easy to visualize and play. This is the number “one” box pattern used in minor key progressions.
The major pentatonic scale
This is the major pentatonic “box pattern” scale and is shaped a little bit different. It is actually the second pentatonic scale pattern (there are 5 altogether) and is played in the first position when playing over a major key progression.
These two scale patterns along with the other three are a great place to start when it comes to playing guitar solos because they link together like a puzzle and span the entire fretboard. This allows you to build a roadmap that keeps you playing in key.
End frustration!
By learning the minor pentatonic scale you develop a better understanding of the fretboard. Especially when you learn all five of them and learn where to play them in each key. Then you end frustration!
The main problem people who attempt to play guitar solos have (I was one of them too) is knowing where to play outside the scale. You play a few notes, but then when you step out of the scale you start to hit bad notes. This is where knowing all five scale patterns come into play.
Where to play the scales
Like I said before, knowing where to play the scales in different keys is the secret sauce. Your first step is to learn the scale patterns and be able to play them anywhere on the fretboard. Then learn where to play them in any particular key.
Like if you are playing in A minor, play the first scale pattern at the 5th fret and the second scale pattern at the 8th fret. This will keep you in the key of A minor. But if you play in A major, you’ll want to play scale pattern two (the major pentatonic scale) at the fifth fret and the first scale pattern at the second fret.
Add new knowledge
As they say, knowledge is power and when it comes to playing guitar solos, how right they are. Continuing to work on expanding your music knowledge, you begin to understand how it all functions together. How all the notes work in harmony and why they sound good when you play them a certain way.
You add new knowledge to your brain when you begin to see things from a whole new perspective. When you can actually visualize the scale patterns along your fretboard, it builds your confidence. You can then play through the scales and stay in key (most common problem guitar players have) you’ll begin to feel good about your playing.
Bringing the scale to life
Learning the scale alone won’t be enough. Any scale. I don’t care if it is the minor pentatonic, the Aeolian mode, the diminished minor or any other for that matter. You must take it one step further and learn the essence of bringing the scale to life.
This is done by learning the “personality licks” such as hammer-ons, pull-offs, bends, slides, etc, etc, etc. These are the things that make the scales sound like music. And if you master these techniques over time, you can create those jaw-dropping guitar solos that will make your friends go WOW!!
The easiest way to do this
The easiest way to master this information is through a system of learning. In my book, I wrote called Lead Guitar Wizardry vol 1. I provide this system. It is an introductory training guide to help you get started playing guitar solos in an easy and effective way that makes learning fun and provides quick results.
In this book you will learn:
- Introduction to notation
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12 bar progression
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Major and minor scales
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Guitar riffs
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Pentatonic scales
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Hammer-ons, pull-offs, bends, etc
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Chord progressions to solo over
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Extended notes to add to the scales
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How to create your own solos (you’ll impress your friends)
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Techniques used by the masters in your favorite songs
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Finger development, ear training, practice habits and much, much more.
Lead Guitar Wizardry vol 1 will teach you what is needed in a simple step-by-step method. It will be having you playing guitar solos in no time. And it is available in print on Amazon, Kindle, and through my eBay store.
**If purchased from my eBay store, you will receive a personally signed “to you” author copy form yours truly**
Lesson conclusion
So check it out and get started today on playing guitar solos. And as always, if you need more of my help with anything that you are currently struggling with, shoot me an email through my website and I will be happy to help you.
And if you haven’t already, grab my FREE Action-Guide Guitar Solo Secrets to give you a head=start in the right direction.
Best of luck and keep practicing.
Sincerely, Dwayne