Perhaps the most widely used scale employed in modern lead guitar styles is the minor pentatonic scale. Although this scale is mainly used in Blues and Rock styles it is frequently used in Metal guitar. For more information on the minor pentatonic scale see Progressive Beginner Lead Guitar or the section on scales at the end of this book.
This diagram highlights the minor pentatonic scale in the key of A. This pattern is often referred to as pattern 1. Notice the scale begins on the note A on the fifth fret of the sixth string.
The following example uses the A minor pentatonic scale shown in the previous scale diagram. Special attention should be given to the suggested left hand fingering.