Major Pentatonic Scale Introduction

Just like chords, scales can be major or minor. The major pentatonic has a brighter, happier sound compared to the minor pentatonic we've focused on so far.

Two songs perfectly capture this sound: My Girl by The Temptations and Fluorescent Adolescent by Arctic Monkeys.

Here's a great connection to be aware of:

If you already know A minor pentatonic, you already know C major pentatonic.

• Start on the second note (C) instead of A, play the same notes, and finish one note higher.

• Same shape, different starting point, completely different mood.

Main Learning Points:

• The relationship between A minor and C major pentatonic

• The 3-2 method: 3 notes on one string, 2 on the next

• Playing C major pentatonic starting at the 3rd fret of string 5

• How to move the 3-2 pattern to different keys (C, F, etc.)

• Why My Girl walks straight up the major pentatonic scale

• Understanding why starting note determines major vs minor sound

This scale unlocks riffs and melodies that just don't work with minor pentatonic. When a song sounds distinctly happy or bright, major pentatonic is usually the answer.