Pentatonic Choices

[tfran]

My friend came home from a guitar lesson and was all exicted. He said he had learned something new. For instance if someone was playing a C chord that you could either play the 3rd or the 6th scale degree minor pentatonic scale over it and it would sound cool. In the case of over a C chord it would be Em and Am. I did some research and learned that both of those minor pentatonic scales contain notes found in a C major scale so I assume that is why it works. I would love to know and learn the theory behind it. Thanks so much.

Tom

[DesiSerna]

The sixth scale degree is the relative minor. C major pentatonic and A minor pentatonic are the same exact notes and patterns. In my book Fretboard Theory I explain how either the first or second note in pentatonic pattern one can be the root depending on what you're playing over and what is functioning as the root. The first note in pentatonic pattern one is always the minor root. The second note in pentatonic pattern one is always the major root.

For example, "My Girl" by The Temptations includes a pentatonic riff played over a C major chord with the C note in the scale functioning as the root. "Tweezer" by Phish use the very same pentatonic patterns but with the A note functioning as the root.

More about how to use pentatonic scales here.