Major pentatonic scale for guitar

At some stage, every guitarist experiences minor-pentatonic burnout after exploring the scale in every shape and fretboard position. We’re here to help you revitalize your pentatonic practice with the lighter and brighter sounds of the minor pentatonic’s sister scale – the major pentatonic!

In this article, we’ll give you an overview of the major pentatonic scale and show you:

• How to build the major pentatonic scale
• The five major pentatonic scale positions
• Which guitarists use the major pentatonic scale
• The connection between major and minor pentatonic

What is the major pentatonic scale?

The major pentatonic is a five-note scale that’s a favorite among guitarists when they want to create an uplifting sound.

• You can hear the major pentatonic in folk, country, pop, blues, and many more.
• The major scale contains seven notes but the major pentatonic only has five – penta means five.
• To turn a major scale into a major pentatonic we just remove two intervals: the 4th and 6th.
• This leaves us with the intervals Root, 2nd, 4th, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th.

If this doesn’t make sense just yet, don’t worry! We’ll go into more detail later.

When would I use the major pentatonic scale?

Here are a few solid reasons to add this scale to your repertoire:

• To write melodies and solos – it’s great for creating upbeat hooks!
• For improvisation – the major pentatonic is a failsafe option when playing in major keys.
• During a songwriting session – the simplicity of a pentatonic scale is often what makes those catchy pop songs get stuck in your head.

Another reason guitarists love the major pentatonic is that it’s so accessible, the shapes are easy to remember and there are tons of classic licks that we can bring over from the minor pentatonic with little adjustment.

What does the major pentatonic sound like?

The major pentatonic scale is a great sound when you want to change the vibe during a solo.

• Adding notes from the major scale will instantly make whatever you’re playing sound sweeter and happier.
• In the guitar world, the minor pentatonic dominates but that doesn’t mean the major pentatonic should be overlooked – sometimes going against the flow is what gives an artist their unique sound.
• Some of the biggest names in guitar history have used the major pentatonic scale to great effect.

Check out this legendary BB King solo from his performance of Nobody Loves Me But My Mother in Sweden, 1986. The first two minutes of his solo are almost exclusively major pentatonic ideas:

The blues isn’t the only place you might hear the major pentatonic scale.

• Traditional Chinese music also uses the scale as a basis for musical compositions and zither instruments such as the guzheng – all the strings are tuned to the notes of the major pentatonic.
• Check out this performance of Fisherman’s song at Dusk to hear how versatile the major pentatonic can be.
  

How to build the major pentatonic scale

Now that our ears are tuned in to the sound of the major pentatonic scale, it’s time to learn how to play it!

For anyone who’s read our article on the minor pentatonic scale, you’ll be happy to know you can transfer a lot of what you learned over to the major pentatonic.

If you’re starting afresh, no worries! We’ve got you covered.

The major pentatonic scale is a five-note scale consisting of: Root – 2nd – 3rd – 5th – 6th

• The major pentatonic scale is closely related to the major scale which includes all of the notes above, the addition of a 4th and 7th that would complete it.
• The major pentatonic scale does an excellent job of outlining the chord tones of any major chord.

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