Could you tell me examples of styles and songs that use the Major Pentatonic scale for guitar melody and lead?
Major Pentatonic Scale
The major pentatonic scale is often overlooked and misunderstood by guitar players. This is because most players learn the minor pentatonic scale first and assume it's the end-all and be-all of guitar scales. In a blues setting, guitarists can even play it over both minor and major chords which further adds to the confusion. By not understanding how the pentatonic can function in a major context, musicians miss out on half the sounds and styles that these scale patterns can produce.
E Minor/G Major Pentatonic Scale
In the open position, pentatonic scale pattern one produces what most guitar players call the E minor pentatonic scale. It's played over some type of E minor chord (or sometimes E major in a blues setting). Emphasizing the E notes in the pattern reinforces the minor tonality. But the very same notes and pattern can also be the G major pentatonic scale. All you have to do is play the scale over some type of G major chord. Emphasizing the G notes in the pattern reinforces the major tonality.
So the first note in pentatonic scale pattern one is always your minor root and the second note is always your major root. This holds true for all keys.
Major Pentatonic Scale Songs
The songs listed below are just some of many that use the major pentatonic scale. In all of them, the scale is played over major chords and the second note in pattern one is functioning as the root.
“Honky Tonk Woman” The Rolling Stones........................................Intro Gtr. Lick
“Wish You Were Here” Pink Floyd....................12-String & Lead Gtr. Intro, Bass
“Sweet Home Alabama” Lynyrd Skynyrd....................................Gtr. Intro & Solos
“Centerfold” The J. Geils Band.....................................................................Gtr. Riff
“Cannonball” Duane Eddy..............................................................................Gtr. Riff
“Amazing Grace” Hymn.........................................................................Vocal Melody
“Amie” Pure Prairie League.............................................................Gtr. Intro (A major)
“All Right Now” Free...................................................................Gtr. Solo 2:28 (A major)
“Jessica” The Allman Brothers Band.................................Bass Intro & Chorus (A major)
“Upside Down” Jack Johnson.....................................................Gtr. Riff 0:11 (E major)
“I Love Rock ‘N Roll” Joan Jett.........................................Gtr. Solo (E major)
“Yellow Ledbetter” Pearl Jam.............................................................Gtr. Solo (E major)
“Blue Sky” The Allman Brothers Band..................................Gtr. Intro & Solo (E major)
“Gasoline Alley” Rod Stewart.....................................Gtr./Vocal Melody 0:29 (E major)
“My Girl” The Temptations........................................Gtr. 1 Riff A & B(C & F major)
“Better Together” Jack Johnson.........................................................Gtr. Intro (F major)
“Let It Be” The Beatles ...................................................................Gtr. 1 Verse 2 (C major)
“Maggie May” Rod Stewart.............................................................Gtr. Solo (D major)
Major Pentatonic Scale Theory
This is just one of the many benefits to learning guitar theory and how music works. The better you understand the features and functions of your musical tools, the better you'll develop as a guitar player. Try it!
