Two Shapes to Rule Them All

Two Shapes to Rule Them All

Minor and Major Chords and Their Relationship with Pentatonic Scales

Let’s start with some boring, yet important, definitions:

What are Chords? 

Two or more notes played together. The most famous chords are triads (formed by three notes):

Major Chord = Root note, a major third and a perfect fifth and typically convey a bright, happy sound.

Minor Chord = Root note, a minor third and a perfect fifth and tend to evoke a darker, sad emotion

What is a Pentatonic Scale?

The pentatonic scale is a five-note scale. There are two primary types of pentatonic scales: the major and the minor

Major Pentatonic Scale: The major pentatonic scale is derived from the major scale, omitting the fourth and seventh degrees.

Minor Pentatonic Scale: The minor pentatonic scale is derived from the natural minor scale and omits the second and sixth degrees.

So, what is the connection?

Let’s pair up major triad with major pentatonic scales:

A major chord: A C# E

A major pentatonic scales: A B C# D E
 

A Major Pentatonic

E-5-------------------------------------------5----7--

B-5----------------------------------5----7-----------

G-6---------------------------4--6--------------------

D-7-------------------4--7----------------------------

A—7----------4--7-------------------------------------

E-5-5----7--------------------------------------------

Therefore the major triad is within the pentatonic scale.

The SAME applies for the minors! Shall we try:

A minor chord: A C E

A minor pentatonic scales: A C D E G
 

A Major Pentatonic

E-5-------------------------------------------5----8--

B-5----------------------------------5----8-----------

G-5---------------------------5--7--------------------

D-7-------------------5--7----------------------------

A—7----------5--7-------------------------------------

E-5-5----8--------------------------------------------

Remember all those shapes are MOVEABLE on the guitar neck!

“TWO SHAPES TO RULE THEM ALL” EXERCISE:

Major Chords GET Major PENT Scale

Minor Chords GET Minor PENT Scale  

A F#m D C#m Bm

E—-5-----2-----10------9-------7---

B--5-----2-----10------9-------7---

G--6-----2-----11------9-------7---

D--7-----4-----12------11------9---

A--7-----4-----12------11------9---

E--5-----2-----10------9-------7---

A   F#m  D   C#m  Bm
 

A Major Pentatonic

E--------------------------------------------5----7--

B-----------------------------------5----7-----------

G----------------------------4--6--------------------

D--------------------4--7----------------------------

A—----------4--7-------------------------------------

E--5----7--------------------------------------------

F# Minor Pentatonic 

E--------------------------------------------2----5--

B-----------------------------------2----5-----------

G---------------------------2--4---------------------

D-------------------2--4-----------------------------

A—----------2--4-------------------------------------

E--2----5--------------------------------------------
 

D Major Pentatonic

E-------------------------------------------10---12--

B----------------------------------10--12------------

G---------------------------9--11--------------------

D-------------------9--12----------------------------

A—----------9--12------------------------------------

E--10--12--------------------------------------------

C# Minor Pentatonic 

E--------------------------------------------9---12--

B-----------------------------------9---12-----------

G---------------------------9--11--------------------

D-------------------9--11----------------------------

A—----------9--11------------------------------------

E--9---12--------------------------------------------

B Minor Pentatonic 

E--------------------------------------------7----10-

B-----------------------------------7---10-----------

G---------------------------7--9---------------------

D-------------------7--9-----------------------------

A—----------7--9-------------------------------------

E--7---10--------------------------------------------
 

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