“The Weight” by The Band is a good example of using the major pentatonic scale on guitar. The intro features some guitar licks in the style of “The Wind Cries Mary” by Jimi Hendrix. It’s right in the A major pentatonic pattern 2, over an “E form” barre chord. There’s a switch to D major pentatonic pattern 1 and then it finishes off in A major pentatonic pattern 3. Listen to the song then view the guitar tab below.
A Major Pentatonic Pattern 2 & D Pattern 1
E-------------5------------------------------|
B--5---5--5h7----5h7-5--5---5----------------|
G--4h6----6------6---6--4h6-4--7---7----7----|
D------------------------------7h9-7h9--7----|
A--------------------------------------------|
E--------------------------------------------|
E--------------------------------------------|
B--------------------------------------------|
G--------------------------------------------|
D--7-7----7----------------------------------|
A--7-7h9--7----------------------------------|
E------------9--5----------------------------|
The Weight Chords
This song is also a good example of using the minor three chord in a key. The progression during the verses is I iii IV I (1 3 4 1) in the key of A. That would be A, C#m and D.
Do you know of other songs that make good examples of using the major pentatonic scale or the iii chord? Let me know by leaving comments below.
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