Note Names

Before we start looking at scale patterns, let’s check you know how to apply them. Knowing the note names on the first two strings will give us a starting point for where to place the patterns on the fretboard. When we learn a scale on the guitar, the shape is movable - we can play it easily in any key - simply line up the Red Dots with a note of the same name as the key we want to play.

Here are the note names on the first two strings, up to the twelfth fret:

Playing in Key

As an example, let’s take the Minor Pentatonic pattern and apply it to the key of G Minor. Consider the pattern:

Minor Pentatonic Pattern

Position 1

The pattern begins with a red dot on the E string. As you can see from the first diagram there is a G note on the third fret, so let’s place the pattern there:

Minor Pentatonic

in the Key of G

We now have a G Minor Pentatonic scale. If we wanted an A Minor Pentatonic scale, move it so the red dot is an A note:

Minor Pentatonic

in the Key of A

Starting on the A String

We can find any note on the E string, but it might not always be convenient. Regard Position 4 of the Minor Pentatonic:

Minor Pentatonic

Position 4

Here the red dot is on the A string so we can use note names from the A string. In the Key of C:

Minor Pentatonic

in the Key of C

More Note Names

While learning all the note names is doubtlessly beneficial, this is enough to get started. Once you’ve learnt the notes on the first two strings you can use the Octave Patterns to fill in the rest of the fretboard.