Featured Guitar Lesson: “Hidden” Pentatonics

Inside each individual major scale there are three different minor pentatonic scales.

In the tradition of the “Secret” Pentatonics lesson let’s continue looking for pentatonics in undiscovered places. Maybe our familiar, five-note friend has been ‘hiding’ under our noses, just waiting to be revealed in other familiar scale patterns? In fact, this is the case! I present (drum roll, please!): Hidden Pentatonics. We will start with an overview and diagrams and then search out those pesky,  profitable pentatonics one step at a time.

DIAGRAM #1:  This is a G major fingering.
The numbers label the scale degrees for theoretical discussions. (See 4 Scales You Should Know for reference)

DIAGRAM #2:  One minor pentatonic scale can be found starting on the second note of any major scale.
This is still a G major scale but the shaded notes highlight the “hidden A minor pentatonic” inside of it.

DIAGRAM #3:  Another minor pentatonic scale can be found starting on the third note of any major scale.
This is the same G major scale with the shaded notes highlighting the “hidden B minor pentatonic”.

DIAGRAM #4:  Another minor pentatonic scale can be found starting on the sixth note of any major scale.
This is the same G major scale with the shaded notes highlight the ‘hidden E minor pentatonic’ inside of it.

DIAGRAM #5:  Use this one standard pattern to easily play all three pentatonics listed above.
Positioning the dark dot at the fifth fret ‘A’ note creates an Am pentatonic fingering. Positions dark dot at fret 7 for Bm pentatonic and at fret 12 for Em pentatonic.

TRY IT: Improvise over the following ‘alternating Am to D’ jam track.

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Use the G major scale to improvise over the jam track… Next, try using an Am pentatonic to guide your improvising approach… How about Em pentatonic… Bm pentatonic works also.

I would be curious to hear in the comments about your results with the different approaches.

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