The Pentatonic Scale – Following Chords
Like all things in life there is always an alternative point of view and playing pentatonic scales is no different. There are plenty of guitar players that simply followed the chords and played the relevant pentatonic scale over the chords as they change.
Follow the leader
The idea is you play the minor pentatonic over a standard 12 Bar progression as normal and you would use the Am pentatonic scale but not all players follow this formulae. There are some that change scale position, not scale every time a chord changes.
So how does this work? The concept for a basic A Blues progression where you might play an A7 – D7 – E7 you would move from Am pentatonic while on the A7 chord, move to the D minor pentatonic scale when on the D chord and the Em pentatonic chord when playing the E7 chord.
The Pentatonic Scale – Am
The Am pentatonic scale is a 5 note scale very popular with guitarists and is the basis for many solos. There are also major as well and minor pentatonic scales that are interchangeable.
If you have learnt any pentatonic scale like the Am version then you are able simply to move the scale up and down the fret board for any key you need. In this idea of soloing and following the chord changes as they happen.
Time top play and get to grips with this concept of following chords. If we use the Am Blues as a base then the Am pentatonic is played over the first four bar’s then when the Dm chord starts you can switch to the Dm Pentatonic scale for the next two bar’s then the Em pentatonic when the Em is played.
Alternatively you can stay on the Am pentatonic for the whole progression and move to the A Major Pentatonic over the A7 Chords for yet another variation. Learn about major and minor pentatonic scales here.
Pentatonic Scale – D m
The D minor pentatonic is the same as the Am but starts on another position on the fret board. You can think of the Pentatonic scales as movable like it was on a convener belt. It can be slid up or down to what ever key you wish.
If you look closely the Pattern 1 from Am is at fret 5 or the A note. In the case of Dm you will find the same pattern 1 nor at the 10th fret or D note on the E string.
Pentatonic Scale -Em
Pentatonic Scale in Em again repeats the Am pentatonic scale we have already used. The pattern 1 or box 1 of the scale is not starting at E on the 12th fret and also back at the open fret.
Practice Some scales with this Am Blues Track
I would recommend getting your guitar out and give it a try. You can start with just the Am pentatonic scale then once your happy move the 1st Dm position pentatonic scale then try the Em pentatonic scale as well.
Its pretty obvious the Em is pretty short but it can be done easily with some practice. If you want to fins a slower song or a favorite song and employ this concept over a bit more time then feel free.
Its one I employ on occasion along with slipping into the Major pentatonic. The playing options are all there for you to use or not as the feeling takes you.
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