Lesson 4. The Pentatonic Scale
More Typical Blues Licks

Welcome to lesson 4 of the pentatonic scale. In this lesson you will be learning more ways to use the scale in a solo. Additional typical blues licks will be used to develop your knowledge of the pentatonic scale. Grab your guitar, get tuned up and let's go.

Take a look at example 1. In this lick we see our old friend from lesson 3 as our starting point. The lick then descends in the pentatonic scale with a slight twist at the end of the lick going from the 5th fret 3rd string to the 5th fret 4th string. The lick then resolves to 7th fret, 4th string.

This example begins to show how to use the pentatonic scale in a more drawn out fashion.

This lick is also written using all eighth notes in the first measure and ends with a whole note at the beginning of the second measure. Be sure to keep the eighth notes evenly spaced.

Play slowly at first and the speed will follow naturally.

Example 1.

Example 2 uses part of the pattern learned in lesson 2 on the pentatonic scale. It starts with the descending pattern in triplets and on the last triplet of measure 1 you will find our springboard lick from lesson 3. Hopefully you can see how you can combine parts of what you already know to create pentatonic blues licks like these.

This lick ends up with a bend on the 8th fret, second string. If you want to get more power in your bend, use your 3rd finger to play and bend that note instead of your 4th finger. In playing this pattern of the pentatonic scale, your 4th finger naturally lands on this note, but it is ok to change fingerings to make playing easier. Use your own judgment on this and do what works for you. Click here to return to lesson 3 on the pentatonic scale to get a refresher on bending.

Example 2.

In example 3 the lick is a little longer and expands our use of the pentatonic scale even more. Again, make sure to play slow and even. Let the speed happen on its own. Take your time and let your fingers learn where they are supposed to go. Use these examples to create your own pentatonic licks. Experiment and see what you can create on your own.

Example 3.

Example 4 uses triplets again and covers two measures. This lick is pretty much just down the pentatonic scale and back up again. Just a little twist right at the end of the lick and our old favorite to start this lick off. See how many ways we have been able to use this same idea over and over again. As John Scofield said, â?? Itâ?™s not how much you know, itâ?™s what you do with what you know.â??

Example 4.

The last lick of this lesson on the pentatonic scale begins with...you guessed it, our favorite 3 notes from the pentatonic scale. Well, maybe not your favorite 3 notes anymore. Itâ?™s just that this combination has been used so much that it has to be part of your vocabulary.

Listen to Whole Lotta Love to hear these notes played by Jimmy Page. You can hear them in the 1st and 3rd licks of that solo. See if you can find them in other songs. This lick is all over the place.

This pentatonic lick may be the hardest one in this lesson. The tricky part is the second half of measure 1. Bend the notes at 8th fret, second string with your 3rd finger and play the note on the 8th fter, 1st string with your 4th finger. This will enable you to go between these two strings and keep the lick smooth and flowing.

Example 5.

I hope you are enjoying these lessons on the pentatonic scale. My goal is to inspire you you to create your own music and solos using these tools. Use these licks and any others that you know or get access to through other web sites and books to inspire you to create your own. Always experiment! You never know what you might discover.

Click here for lesson 5.