Pentatonic Scales

The basic pentatonic scale is the most widely used scale in Western Music and is more than 7,000 years old! It dates back to the Xia Dynasty. One of the first known instruments to play it is an instrument called a “Xun“ (pr. sh-uu-n).

Here are the 5 shapes from E minor (1 b3 4 5 b7) and the prospective “CAGED System“ chords they fit with.

Good practice tip: Try to realize the chord within the scale!

Shape 1 (Like G)

Shape 2 (Like E)

Shape 3 (Like D)

Shape 4 (Like C)

Shape 5 (Like A) & all together

Altered Pentatonic from Fb (E). It is easiest to think of this scale as basic penta shapes with b1 (b1 b3 4 5 b7) Often used along with and resolves nicely into basic F minor pentatonic shapes.

Shape 1 (Like G)

Shape 2 (Like E)

Shape 3 (Like D)

Shape 4 (Like C)

Shape 5 (Like A) & all together

(Click here for a printable .PNG file for these examples)