Moving From The Familiar To The Unfamiliar
(23 Apr 02)
In this article, we will move from familiar Minor Pentatonic patterns to less familiar Major and Minor Modes.
Theory:
The Minor Pentatonic Scale is a subset of the Major Scale that overlaps in three different places, with the root on the Third (iii), the Second (ii) and the Sixth (vi) degrees of the Major Scale. Since most guitarists know the root position of the Minor Pentatonic, it will be used as a reference. The fingering pattern most common for this is 1-4,1-3,1-3,1-3,1-4,1-4 from lowest pitch E to highest pitch E string.
A is the Sixth Degree of the C Major Scale.
The Am Pentatonic contains the notes ACDEG.
The A Aeolian Mode contains the notes ABCDEFG.
We need only add the two notes B and F to the Pentatonic Shape to get the A Aeolian Mode.
Root at 5th fret
 
D is the Second Degree of the C Major Scale.
The Dm Pentatonic contains the notes DFGAC.
The D Dorian Mode contains the notes DEFGABC.
We need only add the two notes E and B to the Pentatonic Shape to get the D Dorian Mode.
Root at 10th fret
 
E is the Third Degree of the C Major Scale.
The Em Pentatonic contains the notes EGABD.
The E Phrygian Mode contains the notes EFGABCD.
We need only add the two notes F and C to the Pentatonic Shape to get the E Phrygian Mode.
Root at 12th fret
 
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Theory:
The Major Pentatonic Scale is a subset of the Major Scale that overlaps in three different places, with the root on the First (I), the Fourth (IV) and the Fifth (V) degrees of the Major Scale.
C is the First Degree of the C Major Scale.
The C Pentatonic contains the notes CDEGA.
The C Ionian Mode contains the notes CDEFGAB.
We need only add the two notes F and B to the Pentatonic Shape to get the C Ionian Mode.
Root at 8th fret
 
F is the Fourth Degree of the C Major Scale.
The F Pentatonic contains the FGACD.
The F Lydian Mode contains the notes FGABCDE.
We need only add the two notes B and E to the Pentatonic Shape to get the F Lydian Mode.
Root at 13th fret or 1st fret
 
G is the Fifth Degree of the C Major Scale.
The G Pentatonic contains the notes GABDE.
The G Mixolydian Mode contains the notes GABCDEF.
We need only add the two notes C and F to the Pentatonic Shape to get the G Mixolydian Mode.
Root at 15th fret or 3rd fret
 
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