Dictionary: G Minor Pentatonic Scale

The G minor pentatonic scale is convenient to use for improvising solos and composing melodies over a G minor chord progression, especially if you are unsure whether to use the Aeolian, Dorian, or Phrygian mode at any given moment.

The G minor pentatonic scale sounds especially bluesy over a G major chord progression.  If you want an even bluesier scale, stay tuned ...

G Blues Horizontal (Guitar, Intermediate)

Learning this expanded pattern will give you total control over the G blues scale - horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. It is advisable to memorize the entire scale in chunks that are four frets wide. Here are a few things to be aware of:

1. Hollow circles represent the G note.
2. Orange circles represent a simple pattern for the G minor pentatonic scale: G, Bb, C, D, and Eb notes.
3. Gray circles represent the rest of the pentatonic scale, outside of the simple diagonal pattern from yesterday.
4. Blue circles represent the jazzy-sounding blue note of the scale: C#.

G Blues Diagonal (Guitar, Beginner)

This pattern of the G blues scale will make you move in a mostly diagonal motion, relative to the fretboard. Here are a few things to be aware of:

1. Hollow circles represent the G note.
2. Orange circles represent a simple pattern for the C minor pentatonic scale: G, Bb, C, D, and F notes.
3. Blue circles represent the jazzy-sounding blue note of the scale: C#.

The blues scale sounds great above several varying chord progressions, from those resembling a major key (G7, C7, D7) to those more minor in nature (Gm, Bb, C) to the relative major (Bb, F, Gm, Eb), etc.

G Blues Vertical (Guitar, Beginner)

This pattern of the G blues scale will make you move in a mostly vertical motion, relative to the fretboard. Here are a few things to be aware of:

1. Hollow circles represent the G note.
2. Orange circles represent a simple pattern for the G minor pentatonic scale: G, Bb, C, D, and F notes.
3. Blue circles represent the jazzy-sounding blue note of the scale: C#.

The blues scale sounds great above several varying chord progressions, from those resembling a major key (G5, C5, D5) to those more minor in nature (G5, Bb5, C5) to the relative major (Bb, Eb, F), etc.