Pentatonic Minor Exercises
These exercises build on the A minor pentatonic scale from the last lesson. Play each one slowly in Music Buddy, then speed up when the rhythms feel steady. Turn on the Tab toggle if you need fretboard guidance; use Chords to keep the Am harmony in view.
Ex. 1 — Mixed Rhythms
Quarter and eighth notes over six bars. Count "1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and" when eighths appear.
X:1
T:Minor Pentatonic Exercise 1
K:Am
M:4/4
L:1/4
"Am"A,2 c d | e2 g2 | a2 c d | e g a g | e2 d2 | c2 a2 ||
Ex. 2 — With Rests
Same scale, but rests create space. Count the silences—they are part of the phrase.
X:2
T:Minor Pentatonic Exercise 2
K:Am
M:4/4
L:1/4
"Am"A,2 z c | d e z2 | g2 a z | e d c2 | a z d e | g2 a2 ||
Once both exercises feel comfortable, try them from memory. Then invent your own: start on C or E, add a bend on C or G, or syncopate the rhythm.
Practice tip: Record yourself playing Ex. 1 at a slow tempo, then solo freely over the recording using only A minor pentatonic. Listen back for phrases that land on A, C, or E.
Further viewing
- (Andrew Huang)—how melody relates to chords
Next up: major pentatonic.
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