I am wondering what pattern does the Major Pentatonic Scales use and how does it compare with the Minor Pentatonic? I watched your podcast and you said that the first note is the Minor root and the second note is the Major root. How do you know when some is playing for example the E Minor Pentatonic or the G Major Pentatonic? Sorry if it is a lot. I look forward to hearing from you.
The fretboard patterns for the major and minor pentatonic scales are the same. Pentatonic pattern one in the open position can produce either an E minor or G major tonality. It all depends on what the scale is being played over.
If you're playing over an E minor chord, or chord progression that revolves around an E minor chord, then your ear will hear the E note in the scale as the root. The E note is the first note in pentatonic scale pattern one. When the other scale tones draw to and resolve on the first note in this pattern it produces a minor sound. This minor pentatonic application can be heard in the song "Susie Q" by Creedence Clearwater Revival, "Back in Black" by AC/DC, and many others.
If you're playing over an G major chord, or chord progression that revolves around a G major chord, then your ear will hear the G note in the scale as the root. The G note is the second note in pentatonic scale pattern one. When the other scale tones draw to and resolve on the second note in this pattern it produces a major sound. This major pentatonic application can be heard in the song "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd, "Honky Tonk Women" by The Rolling Stones, and many others.
I hope this helps to explain the guitar theory behind major and minor pentatonic scales.
