E minor Pentatonic Guitar Scale
Audio File for Improvising
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Progression (form = V C V C T) Verse: Em C Am C D Chorus: G Bm C C Tag: Em C 5.7 MB mp3 download - click to open in new window. Right click to save file. |
A fixed position guitar scale means that you don't shift, rather you stay in one position while playing all of the tones of the scale (rather than shifting as in a linear scale).
The E minor Pentatonic scale has 5 tones: E G A B D. [This scale is also G Major Pentatonic - G A B D E]. Penta- = 5, -tonic = tones. Penta + tonic = 5 tones.
Pentatonic Frame One E minor
When you see this many dots on one frame, you can assume that it is a scale frame. Here is how you interpret this frame (written in tablature):
Practice this scale slowly, focusing on your picking & timing.
Position
Did you choose 1st position or 2nd position?
In first position, you'd use 2's & 3's to play the tones. In second position, you'd use 1's & 2's to play the tones. Try it both ways, determine which suits you best.
Once you have this down 'academically' (in order), try some of these figures & experiment with 'being melodic'.
Use the audio file at the top of this page to improvise. It will work best at first to stay on the treble strings (E, B, & G). Try playing just one of the tones for a whole round of the progressions. You can also repeat tones, & use slurs (pulls, hammers, slides, bends, & vibrato).
Experiment with trying different combinations of tones against the chords. Even playing double stops & triple stops in as many combinations as you discover.
You are studying how tones interact with other tones, & you are developing your melodic hearing & memory. You might be surprised by what emerges. Don't judge, rather focus on a tonal flow with listening awareness. Listen for tension & resolution. Push & pull against the audio.
