A Major Pentatonic Scale On Guitar
The A major pentatonic scale is a 5 note scale that is derived from the A major scale.
Here you will find all 5 scale shapes, the correct fingerings, best picking for speed & accuracy and the notes of the scale so you will be able to easily play the scale and understand what's going on musically.
Click the tabs below to learn the various shapes and how they fit together across the fretboard.
Notes of A Major Pentatonic Scale Guitar
Like all guitar scales, the notes span across the entire fretboard and at first glance it may seem a bit overwhelming. However, there are a lots of tricks for how to get them all memorized, easily change keys, and even break out of the box patterns.
Click on the different tabs to see the BOX PATTERNS. These patterns connect together like a puzzle that span across the entire fretboard.
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What notes are in the A major pentatonic scale?
There are 5 notes that make a pentatonic scale (hence penta) and for the A major pentatonic scale are notes A B C# E F#. See the scale diagrams above for reference.
Lets compare to the A major scale to better understand the A major pentatonic scale
A B C# D E F# G#: A major scale
A B C# - E F# - : A major pentatonic scale
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What is the formula for the A major pentatonic scale?
The major scale formula consists of the 1 2 3 5 6 notes of the major scale it is derived from. Here's an easy breakdown:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 : Major scale
1 2 3 - 5 6 - : major pentatonic scale
The 4th and 7th scale degrees have been removed from the major scale thus creating the Major Pentatonic scale.
What is the difference between the A minor pentatonic scale and a major pentatonic scale?
The A minor pentatonic scale is derived from the A Natural Minor scale and uses scale degrees 1 2 3 5 6
The A major pentatonic scale is derived from the A major scale and uses scale degrees 1 b3 4 5 b7
Both are pentatonic scales as they have 5 notes and share the same tonic note but they are much different scales as shown below:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
A B C# D E F# G#: A major scale
A B C# - E F# - : A major pentatonic scale
1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
A B C D E F G : A natural minor scale
A - C D E - G : A minor pentatonic scale
What are the 5 positions of the A major pentatonic scale?
See the breakdown above for positions, where the notes are, and what fingers to use.
What chords work with the A major pentatonic Scale?
The basic chords that work well with the A major pentatonic scale are A Bm C#m D E F#m G#dim. You can also turn all these into power chords such as: A5 B5 C#5 D5 E5 F#5 G#5
You've surely seen the progression A D E many times and this will work well. You can also try A D F#m E
If you need help learning these chords check out the Chord Library!