Pentatonic Major Exercises
These exercises use C major pentatonic. Play them in Music Buddy—turn on the Tab toggle for fretboard help and Chords to keep C major harmony visible.
Ex. 1 — Mixed Rhythms
Six bars mixing quarter and eighth notes. Keep time steady as the rhythm changes.
X:1
T:Major Pentatonic Exercise 1
K:C
M:4/4
L:1/4
"C"C2 D E | G2 A2 | C2 D E | G A c A | G2 E2 | D2 C2 ||
Ex. 2 — With Rests
Rests are part of the music—count them like notes.
X:2
T:Major Pentatonic Exercise 2
K:C
M:4/4
L:1/4
"C"C2 z D | E G z2 | A2 c z | G E D2 | C z E G | A2 C2 ||
When both patterns feel solid, try variations: play descending instead of ascending, start on E or G, or add dotted rhythms.
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Practice tip: Play Ex. 1 over a C major backing track, then improvise your own four-bar phrase using the same rhythms—but choose the notes freely within C major pentatonic.
Further viewing
- (Dustin Hofsess)—switching between major and minor color
Next up: the full major scale.
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