5 Modern Pentatonic Scale Tricks Every Guitarist Should Know
Introduction
Pentatonic scales are the backbone of countless guitar solos and riffs—simple on the surface, but endlessly flexible when you know how to stretch them. Here are five modern pentatonic ideas that will make your solos sound fresher, more expressive, and more connected across the neck.
Introduction & Challenge
Pentatonic scales – we all love them, we all use them all the time. I’m gonna show you a few tips that will completely transform the way you approach them, and I’m gonna do that starting now. Five minutes from now, here we go. Five minutes timer. If I succeed, make sure to subscribe and like this video. Anyway, so here we go.
The Five Basic Positions
First of all, you gotta know all the five positions. So here it is from the root, here it is from the third, and from the third coming up. Notice there’s always two notes per string, right? It’s very basic stuff you might know this, but hang on, there’s more.
Changing Notes Per String (3-1-3 Pattern)
These are very basic stuff, right? But you can start changing the amount of notes you put on each string. So instead of having two notes per string, why not try making three notes, one note, three notes, one note, three notes? Why not? You get this… And then make sure that you can do that with each position. So if you want to do it from this position you get three notes, one note, three notes, one note, three notes. Then you have it over here, and over here.
So this gives you a different kind of sound and you can then just, you know, come up with all kinds of phrases… different sound, right? Or you can start connecting the positions together, that kind of stuff. So that’s cool, check that out. Make sure to go deeper into these kind of stuff.
Adding Chromatic Notes (Blues Scale)
Another thing that you can do is add a chromatic note between the four and the five. Also very basic stuff, and then you have what’s called a blues scale, which means basically adding a chromatic right after the fourth degree – in this case D.
Now many know this, but did you really go systematically and work on knowing that in each position? So you have it over here, and I saw you also have it over here, and you also have it over here, and over here. So make sure you can add notes – when you add a chromatic note, see it in all five positions.
Exploring Modes – Dorian
How much time I have left? Two more minutes, something like that. So here’s another tip: start dealing with going into different modes. I mean basically, we’re talking about a minor mode, right? So how about melodic minor or Dorian? Let’s go with Dorian first.
Dorian means basically, if you look at it as what are you adding to your pentatonic, you’re adding a second degree and you’re also adding a six. So you get this scale: one, two, flat three, four, five, six, seven. And you can see that… and you get this kind of sound which is really cool and jazzy, right?
Melodic Minor Flavor
Another thing you can do is do the same thing with the melodic minor. So you’re basically, instead of having a flat seven, you have a major seven. So you’ve got one, two, flat three, four, five, natural six, and major seven. And then you get this kind of sound… So again… you know, so I’ve been playing this scale for a while so I got some feel for it, you know, some movements that I’ve been practicing variations.
Playing With Chromatics (Enclosures)
Okay, we’ve got 40 more seconds. Okay, play with chromatics and then also I’m going to talk about another thing. So only 30 more seconds left. Okay, so let’s say I have this – this note in the pentatonic, it’s the flat three, right? I can do a chromatic enclosure into that note instead of just playing it.
Oh my god, I have 10 seconds! Hey, let’s add another minute. Okay, I think we’re enjoying here, so I’m gonna close the timer. Yes, I’m cheating, I know, but still please hit the like button and subscribe. Okay, do it right now actually. Over 70 percent of people watching are not subscribed, so please make sure to subscribe and let’s grow this channel.
Okay, so here’s the flat three and I make sure to surround it with an enclosure. I can also do that to the root, or the fifth, or the third. So that’s playing around with chromatics which gives you, you know, this kind of sound… this kind of sound.
Half-Step Shifts for Outside Sounds
Okay, another thing that you can do is something really cool which is just basically moving up and down half steps to create kind of like melodic shells that are sounding like out sounding. I’ll give you an example… That’s in, but a half step will be… So it’s still, you know, I’m still playing from the shape – same shape – but I mean A flat now. So I got… and then I can come back.
And I can also do that with a half step above. So I’m still just playing with this pentatonic box but I’m creating all these kind of, you know, call and response between playing, you know, playing it in A, played it up a half step, playing it in A, playing it down a half step. And obviously this is a concept you can apply with any phrase you’re doing in any position, right?
So you can take the, you know, some other position – maybe this position – and go up a half step.
Closing Thoughts & Resources
Okay, now that was a handful, right? Now if you’re really looking for a step-by-step approach into the fundamental elements – scales, chords, voice leading, chord progressions, creativity, how to mix and match everything – and you really want, you know, the guidance and resources, so check out my Galactic Online Modern Guitar program. It has over 15 modules, over 105 videos including exercises, explanations, PDFs, tabs – basically everything. Okay, just check it out.
Also guys, please make sure to like this video and subscribe. Subscribe, it really helps, and also I don’t want you to miss any videos, so make sure to hit that bell notification. Other than that, in the comments below, if you have any ideas for future videos or recommendations or just want to talk about the materials that I presented in this video, let’s talk! I’m here and I would love to have a chat with you in the comments below.
That’s it guys, have a beautiful week and yeah, enjoy music. I’ll see you later, bye!
The Five Modern Pentatonic Techniques
1. Master the Five Positions
Before anything else, you need to know the classic five pentatonic boxes inside and out. Learn them from the root, third, and other starting points so you can visualize the entire fretboard.
- Play each position up and down for 1 minute at a slow tempo
- Link positions 1 → 2 → 3 across one string set, then reverse
- Sing the root note as you play it to lock the shapes to your ear
2. Change Note Distribution Per String (3-1-3 Pattern)
Instead of the standard two notes per string, try grouping notes differently: three notes on one string, one on the next, creating new melodic contours from familiar shapes.
3. Add Chromatic Notes (Blues Scale)
Adding a chromatic note between the 4th and 5th degrees transforms your pentatonic into a blues scale, creating that vocal, bluesy quality.
- Insert the chromatic note in every pentatonic position and play ascending/descending patterns
- Improvise for 3 minutes over a static vamp, consciously adding the chromatic into your phrases
4. Explore Modal Colors (Dorian & Melodic Minor)
Dorian: Add the 2nd and 6th degrees to get a jazzy, modal minor sound
Melodic Minor: Raise the 7th (use major 7 instead of ♭7) for a distinct, sophisticated color
- Take a familiar pentatonic phrase and add the 2nd and 6th—listen to how it sounds against an Am7 vamp
- Use the major 7 in melodic minor context, focusing on resolving to chord tones
5. Use Chromatic Enclosures
Surround target pentatonic notes with chromatic approach tones above and below. This technique sounds intentional and jazzy while still using pentatonic foundations.
Bonus: Half-Step Shifts
Move a pentatonic shape up or down a half-step to create tension, then resolve back. This creates “outside” sounds while keeping the same fingering pattern.
15-Minute Daily Practice Routine
- Warm-up (2 min): Play all five boxes slowly
- Texture drill (4 min): 3-1-3 patterns in one box
- Chromatic practice (4 min): Add chromatic between 4 and 5 in each position
- Modal coloring (3 min): Add Dorian or melodic minor notes to a phrase
- Creative finish (2 min): Try half-step shifts and enclosures over a backing track
Performance Tips
- Target chord tones when resolving—chromatics and outside moves sound purposeful when tied to chord tones
- Record yourself: Capture 1-minute takes and listen back to identify what works
- Slow practice first: Make sure new fingerings are clean before increasing tempo
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the five positions of the pentatonic scale?
The five positions cover the entire neck, starting from the root and moving through positions based on the third and fifth, enabling seamless soloing across the fretboard.
How do chromatic notes enhance the pentatonic scale?
Adding chromatic notes (especially between the 4th and 5th) creates a blues scale, giving your solos extra flavor and expressiveness.
What’s the benefit of connecting pentatonic positions?
Connecting positions lets you move smoothly up and down the neck, expanding your phrasing options and making solos more dynamic.
How do you adapt pentatonic to Dorian or melodic minor?
For Dorian, add the 2nd and 6th degrees; for melodic minor, use a major 7th instead of ♭7, which alters the scale’s color and increases versatility.
What is a chromatic enclosure?
A chromatic enclosure surrounds a target note with chromatic tones above and below, making solos sound more sophisticated and jazzy.
How do half-step shifts affect guitar solos?
Moving pentatonic shapes up or down by a half-step creates tension and “outside” sounds, adding variety and interest to your phrasing.
Next Steps
- Re-watch the video while following the 15-minute routine
- Focus on one technique per practice day for a week (Monday: 3-1-3, Tuesday: chromatics, etc.)
- Record your progress and note what sounds best to your ear
- Check out the Galactic Online Modern Guitar Program for structured, step-by-step guidance with exercises, tabs, and backing tracks
