Scale Patterns Starting With A
We will learn these three scale patterns (minor pentatonic, major pentatonic, and Mixolydian mode) in five different positions on the guitar. We will start by looking at the patterns starting with the note, A, at the fifth fret on the sixth (low E) string. When we are done with all three scale patterns (minor pentatonic, major pentatonic, and Mixolydian) starting with A, we will proceed looking at these three patterns in D, G, C, and F. If you do the math, you will soon see that is fifteen combininations of patterns. Don't be afraid. At the heart of this lesson is a new and innovative way to memorize these scales without working too hard. We will also see how to find at least four notes in each pattern once we know the root of the chord. Stay with me. I think you will find it is worth it.
I want to make sure that you will understand the scale diagrams that we will be using. The guitar strings are the horizontal lines. The frets are the vertical lines. The low E string is at the bottom. The high E string is at the top. We will work at the fifth fret location for this entire lesson.
This part is just for you tab-only guys. The strings are numbered from high to low. That might seem upside down to some of you. Here are the string names:
- E
- B
- G
- D
- A
- E
You can remember the names of the strings by constructing the acronym for the memory trick, "Easter Bunnies Get Depressed After Easter -- E, B, G, D, A, E."
