Pentatonic Guitar Scales - Tone Names in C Major & A minor

In this guitar scales lesson, we take a look at the actual tone names in standard tuning for the map of C Major / A minor Pentatonic.

Tone Names for C Major & A minor Pentatonic

guitar scales, pentatonics, C and A minor, note names

As with the C Major/A minor Pentatonic frame lesson, take note of the octave shapes. Memorize octave shapes.

C Major & A minor are the Same Tones

Yes, these are the same 5 tones. With C major, we are calling the C the Root of the system.

If C is 1, D = 2, E = 3, G = 5, A = 6
If A is 1, C = b3, D = 4, E = 5, G = b7

The flats (b) refer to what is different from A Major through comparing or paralleling. A's 'normal' 3 is C#, so A's b3 (lowered 3rd) is C. Likewise, A's 'normal' 7 is G#, so A's b7 (lowered 7th) is G.

There aren't any flats in the C's formula because it is Major, & Major is our point of comparison. If we wanted parallel C minor Pentatonic to C Major Pentatonic, we get: C is 1, Eb = b3, F = 4, G = 5, Bb = b7.

Other Tones as Roots

From the D, the scale is called the Vietnamese Scale (R 2 4 5 b7).
From the E, the scale is called the Malkos Raga (R b3 4 b6 b7).
From the G, the scale is called the Bac Scale (R 2 4 5 6).

How to Memorize

Memorization can work in a number of ways: by shapes, by octaves, by repetition, &/or from getting to know the scale system in as many ways as possible.

We could start with memorizing frame 1. Memorize the shape & how it is played. Play it until you know it.

Then, play it 10 times, but change your focus. One of these foci will be the naming of notes.

So, you play it a whole bunch, getting the feel of it. The shape of it.

Then, keep playing it, but change what you are paying attention to as you play the scale. Paying attention could mean something technical, or mental, or feeling-oriented, or listening, or…

Technique

How's my pick (or fingers) doing?
Am I getting a clear articulation in the motor hand?
How does fretting these tones feel?
What is my fretting arm elbow doing? Wrist?
What part of my fingertip am I using? Does it change with different strings?
How much pressure does this really take? Can the weight of my arm help?
Am I hungry? Do I want a sandwich? What type of sandwich?
What is it like to play while wanting a sandwich?
How are my legs? Are they asleep?

Mental

Say the names of the tones as you play them.
What are all the A's in the scale? All the D's?, etc.
What are all the tones of the borders?
*How are the same tones played in the next frame?
Is this fun?
Do I know what I'm doing?
What is this thing?
Am I comfortable? No pressure?

Rule for Adjacent Strings in Standard Tuning

For string sets 6/5, 5/4, 4/3, & 2/1: to find an identical tone (unison) on the lower of the set of 2 adjacent strings (i.e. 6/5 - 6 being the lower), move up 5 frets (not including reference tone).

For strings 3/2, move up 4.

If you take a close look at the guitar scales above, you will see how these rules are always true, & the same tones are simply being refretted in different positions.

The same rule applies in reverse (on 3/2, go down 4 to find the same tone on the higher string).

And finally, the rule applies in reverse for an octave: to find an octave on the lower string of 2 adjacent strings, move down 7 frets.

Up & down for the same tone (for all string sets except 3/2 - the unison on higher string is down 5 - the octave on higher string is up 7 - or opposite) for adjacent strings always equal 12.

Guitar scales could also be called tone groups or tone collections or tone families or nothing or whatever else makes sense to you.