Chapter 2: Pentatonic Pattern 1 – The Foundation of All Great Guitar Solos

If you’ve been playing guitar for any length of time, chances are you’ve come across Pattern 1 of the pentatonic scale. This shape is the most widely used scale pattern on the guitar, and for good reason. It’s easy to finger, simple to memorize, and instantly musical. Whether you’re playing blues, rock, metal, country, funk, or pop, Pattern 1 is the go-to scale shape that lays the foundation for countless guitar solos and riffs.

How Scale Patterns Are Formed on the Fretboard

To get started forming scale patterns on the fretboard, we need to pick a key. We’ll use the E minor pentatonic scale, one of the most common keys in guitar music. This scale consists of five notes: E – G – A – B – D. Its scale formula (interval structure) is 1 – ♭3 – 4 – 5 – ♭7. We’ll begin by playing these notes along string 6, incorporate the other strings, and eventually complete an entire position with a full pattern. Taking things step by step will help you better understand how the fretboard and scale patterns work.

In Figure 2-1, you play the five notes of the E minor pentatonic scale starting with the open low E string and continuing horizontally along the same string until you reach the 12th fret. That final E note is one octave higher than the starting note—your guitar is marked with double dots at the 12th fret to indicate this. While you’re playing six pitches, the first and last notes are both E, so you’re still using only five unique notes.

Notes in Multiple Locations

One of the unique things about the guitar is that you can play the same note in multiple places. For example, you can complete the scale on E at the 12th fret of string 6, or the 7th fret of string 5, or the 2nd fret of string 4. These are identical pitches, just played in different positions. In Figure 2-2, you see a few options for completing the E minor pentatonic scale using strings 6, 5, and 4. You don’t need to memorize all these ways—just understand how flexible the fretboard is.

Playing in Different Octaves

In addition to finding notes in different positions, you can also play them in different octaves. In Figure 2-3, the E minor pentatonic scale begins on the 2nd fret of string 4 and continues up to the open high E string. This covers the scale in one higher octave. To play the scale across two full octaves, start on the low E string and ascend all the way to the high E string, as shown in the second diagram in Figure 2-3.

When learning pentatonic scale patterns on guitar, the goal is to play all the available notes within a given fretboard position. This usually covers two or more octaves. To complete the position you’re working on, finish on G at the 3rd fret of string 1, as shown in Figure 2-4. This layout is known as pentatonic Pattern 1. Watch my demonstration in Video Clip 2-1.

Guitarists navigate the fretboard largely by visualizing shapes and patterns. Pattern 1 forms a distinctive shape that serves as a foundation for countless riffs and solos. Practice seeing this shape on the fretboard and playing through its notes, both ascending and descending, until it’s locked into your memory.

Transposing Pattern 1 Up an Octave

Like barre chords, scale patterns can be moved up and down the neck. In Figure 2-5, you take Pattern 1 and move it up twelve frets, keeping in the key of E minor but shifting into a higher register. Pattern 1 may look and feel different in this new position because you’re now fretting all the notes instead of using open strings, but the shape is identical in terms of structure.

Fingering Tips

When it comes to using your fretting-hand fingers for Pattern 1, it’s common to assign one finger per fret, since the notes span four frets:

• Index = 12th fret
• Middle = 13th fret (not used in this pattern)
• Ring = 14th fret
• Pinky = 15th fret

This is a great way to start, but fingerings aren’t fixed rules. In actual music, phrasing and technique often dictate your finger choices. Many players (myself included) use just the index and ring fingers in this position.

Picking Tips

In styles such as blues and rock, players typically use a pick (also called a plectrum), although fingerpicking is more common in folk or lighter styles. I recommend you start with a pick to build the control needed for most modern guitar tones. Follow these general rules when using a pick:

• Hold the pick between your thumb and index finger
• Rest the heel of your hand or forearm on the guitar for stability
• Start by picking all notes with downstrokes
• Then try alternate picking (down-up-down-up) to build speed and accuracy

Avoid overly flimsy picks—they make precise picking difficult. I recommend something at least as thick as a Fender Medium.

Start Jamming Right Away

One of the nice things about the pentatonic scale is you don’t need to know much about lead guitar to start jamming right away. Play along with Backing Track 2-1 using Pattern 1 in either position. You’ll be surprised how musical five notes can sound.

Transposing the Pattern

Now that you’re familiar with using pentatonic Pattern 1 in the key of E minor, you can transpose it to play in other keys. Since the pattern is movable, simply start it on different notes to play in different keys. For example:

• 1st fret = F minor
• 3rd fret = G minor
• 5th fret = A minor
• 8th fret = C minor, etc.

Playing Above the 12th Fret

Just like you played E minor pentatonic Pattern 1 in two different positions and octaves, other keys can also be shifted up twelve frets—if your guitar has enough room. For example, F minor pentatonic Pattern 1 can start on F at the 1st fret or the 13th fret of string 6. G minor can begin at the 3rd or 15th fret, A minor at the 5th or 17th fret, and so on.

The fretboard repeats after the 12th fret, including its dot markers. Notes at frets 3 and 15, 5 and 17, 7 and 19 are the same. However, unless your guitar has 24 frets, you’ll run out of fretboard before you can complete all the shapes again.

E Minor Pentatonic Songs

One of the best ways to understand how the pentatonic scale is used in real music is by listening to songs that feature it. The list below includes classic tracks that use Pattern 1 and are simple to play. Give them a listen, and use online guitar tabs to help you work out the pentatonic parts.

• “Rumble” – Link Wray – This is the riff and sound that started it all. “Rumble” influenced the entire evolution of riff-based rock guitar. The verses conclude with a descending E minor pentatonic Pattern 1 in the open position, and it’s super simple to play—perfect for beginners.
• “Suzie Q” – Creedence Clearwater Revival – The opening guitar riff is played using E minor pentatonic Pattern 1 in the open position. It’s simple, repetitive, and a great starting point if you’re just getting familiar with the pattern.
• “Wish You Were Here” – Pink Floyd – The iconic 12-string acoustic intro is based on E minor pentatonic Pattern 1 and is quite accessible. The lead guitar parts also use Pattern 1 but get more involved, so you might save those for later.
• “Back in Black” – AC/DC” – This classic riff uses the E minor pentatonic scale with a descending run that hits fast. It’s not the easiest riff due to its quick phrasing and fingering, but it’s a must-try. Slow it down and work it up to speed.
• “Beverly Hills” – Weezer – One of the easiest guitar solos you’ll find. It’s in F minor pentatonic and played entirely within Pattern 1. A great solo to try early on.
• “I Shot the Sheriff” – Eric Clapton – The riff that follows each verse is in G minor pentatonic. It can be played in Pattern 1, though some tabs may show alternative fingerings.
• “Born Under a Bad Sign” – Cream – Cream’s version of this blues staple uses G minor pentatonic Pattern 1 for the main riff. It’s groovy and straightforward, and an excellent practice tune.
• “You Give Love a Bad Name” – Bon Jovi – The opening lead guitar hook is in C minor pentatonic, Pattern 1, played in the 8th position. It features expressive string bending, so it’s best played on an electric guitar with an extra-light string gauge, such as .009–.042.
• “Hey Joe” – Jimi Hendrix – The bulk of the solo is played in E minor pentatonic Pattern 1 in the 12th position. It’s a bit more advanced due to the phrasing, vibrato, and bends. An electric guitar with extra-light strings is required.

Access the Free Online Resources

Head to Lead Guitar Unlocked – Free Audio & Video Resources on Teachable to watch Video Clip 2-1 and play along with Backing Track 2-1.

What’s Next: Unlocking the Fretboard

Now that you’ve got Pattern 1 under your fingers, it’s time to expand your reach across the neck. In Chapter 3, you look at how to learn all five pentatonic patterns and connect them into one continuous fretboard map. Let’s keep going!