Scale Charts › A Major Pentatonic scale

A Major Pentatonic scale on guitar

A Major Pentatonic is a five-note major scale with no half steps, so it is hard to hit a wrong note. Its notes are A, B, C#, E and F# (1 2 3 5 6). It gives country, southern rock and pop solos their sweet, open sound. The A roots sit at fret 5 on the low E string.

How to practice it

1. Start at fret 5 on the low E string and play the box from low to high and back.
2. Say or think the note names as you play until the roots jump out.
3. Play it over a backing track in the same key and aim for the root on strong beats.
4. Chords in the key: A, Bm, C#m, D, E, F#m and G#dim.

Questions

What notes are in the A Major Pentatonic scale?

A, B, C#, E and F#. The formula is 1 2 3 5 6.

Where do I start A Major Pentatonic on guitar?

Put your first finger on A at fret 5 of the low E string; the root is also at fret 12 of the A string. Learn that box first, then link it to the next one up the neck.

What is the relative minor of A Major Pentatonic?

F# Minor Pentatonic. It uses the same notes starting from a different root.

Also try: F# Minor Pentatonic scale · A Major scale · A Major · Scale Charts