Five Forms Of The Pentatonic Scale
Altogether there are five forms of the minor pentatonic scale. When linked together they cover the whole fretboard. Each form is named by the chord shape it most closely resembles. You have already learned the E form of the scale. The following exercises demonstrate the remaining four forms in the key of C.
The diagrams also show the matching chord shape that relates to each form. Practice each of these until you know them from memory and then analyze them all in terms of where the scale degrees fall within each fingering. It is especially important to memorize the positions of the root notes in each form.
D Form (Pattern 2)
D Form
Here is a lick which makes use of the D form of the C minor pentatonic scale. Analyze it as shown in the previous lesson and try making up some of your own licks using the D form.
C Form (Pattern 3)
This lick is played within the C form of the C minor pentatonic scale. As before, analyze it and then try making up some of your own licks from the C form.
A Form (Pattern 4)
A Form
This lick is played within the A form of the C minor pentatonic scale, at the 3rd fret. It is also possible to play it up an octave at the 15th fret.
G Form (Pattern 5)
G Form
