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| Introduction |
| Major-Minor-Diminished & Augmented scales |
| Pentatonic-Major & Minor scales |
| Modes |
| Constructing Chords |
| Introduction |
| First things First |
| Learning Guitar Sessions |
| Guitar Scales Introduction |
| Guitar Scales Getting Started |
| Musical Keys |
| Chord Theory |
| Chord Definition |
| Guitar Notes 1 |
| Guitar Notes 2 |
| Music Scales in the Keys |
Constructing pentatonic scales is done by a method using interval steps, that are taken on the Chromatic scale. An interval step is the distance from one note to another. There is 2 types of interval steps. The halfstep, by looking at diagram No. 1 is the distance from C to C#(sharp), which is 1 note distance apart. The wholestep is the distance from C to D, which is 2 notes distance apart.
Diagram # 1
There are 2 types of pentatonic scales. The major pentatonic scale, which is a 5 note scale and is derived out of the major scale, and the minor pentatonic scale which is a 5 note scale, and is derived out of the natural minor scale.
Each has it's own unique interval step pattern that makes up the notes for the scale. The interval steps are performed on the chromatic scale. Each interval step that you take, is a note in the pentatonic scale.
Below are the Interval Step Patterns for the Major & Minor Pentatonic scales. You'll notice with the minor pentatonic scale you can add on extension notes to the original scale. The interval steps for the extension notes our displayed on the chart below as well.
If in need of instructions on how to use the charts, see example
For a full overview on Intervals, what they are, and how to use them, go to Constructing Music Scales-Chords Intro
If your looking for a quick reference on what notes are in a particular scale, you can check it out by going to Music Scales in the Keys. Here you'll link to any scale in any of the 24 musical keys. For an example what you'll find view here
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Guitar Triad Chord Sessions |
Guitar Scale Sessions
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Guitar Tuner |
The chart on the right has the Chromatic Scale with notes arranged in a circular pattern. I call this chart the Scale Cycle. This is the chart the Interval Steps will be performed on , to find the notes that make up the different scales in music.
Take notice of the five notes in the inner cycle. These notes are flat notes, and they have the same tone as the notes they share the space with. Depending on the Key your in, and the scale your finding the notes for, will determine which note will be used.
Moving around the cycle finding the notes for a scale, is basically pretty simple. But like everything else, theres a couple rules to follow, in order to make sure you come up with the right notes for that scale.
Rule No. 1, always move around the cycle in a clockwise direction.
Rule No. 2, the first note you start out with, is the name of the scale. An example being the { A - Major } scale. You would start out on the cycle with the { A } note.
Rule No. 3, when your taking an interval step, Don't start your count from the note your on. Always count your steps from the next note, that is in the clockwise direction.
Rule No. 4, every interval step you take, is a note that you arrive on, and will be a note in the scale.
Alright, now that we have the rules covered, will begin an example on finding the notes for the { A- Major Pentatonic Scale }. The following is the Interval Step pattern for Major Pentatonic Scales.
Rootnote | wholestep | wholestep | wholestep & halfstep | wholestep
On the Scale Cycle we will begin on the { A } note. This is the 1st note in the scale, also known as the Rootnote.
The 1st Interval is a { wholestep } which takes us to the note { B }.
Now our next Interval Step which is a { wholestep } is taken from the { B } note. This will take us to the { C sharp } note.
From the C sharp note, we take the next Interval which is a { wholestep & halfstep } and we arrive on the { E } note.
From the E note, we take the next Interval which is a { wholestep } and we arrive on the { F sharp } note.
So, here you have it, the notes that make up the { A- Major Pentatonic scale } are A - B - C sharp - E - F sharp.
