Mixing Major and Minor Pentatonic Scales

Minor pentatonic1 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭7

Major pentatonic1 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 6

SharedThe root and the 5th

Best overBlues and dominant 7 chords

Mixing the major and minor pentatonic is the secret behind the sound of B.B. King, Eric Clapton and most great blues players. The minor pentatonic gives the gritty, bluesy notes; the major pentatonic adds sweet, melodic ones. Over a blues, where every chord is a dominant 7, you can use both in the same phrase. Here is how they fit together on the neck, in the key of A.

The Two Scales Side by Side

A minor pentatonic, Box 1 (frets 5–8)

A · C · D · E · G

A major pentatonic, Box 1 (frets 4–7)

A · B · C♯ · E · F♯

Both share A (the root) and E (the 5th). Everything else is different: minor has C, D and G; major has B, C♯ and F♯.

Both Scales in One Position

Here they are combined around the 5th fret. Blue notes are minor-only, orange notes are major-only, and red and gold are the shared root and 5th. Every note of both scales is under your hand without changing position.

Root (A)Shared (E)Minor only (C, D, G)Major only (B, C♯, F♯)

A minor and A major pentatonic combined around the 5th fret, minor-only notes in blue, major-only notes in orange

How to Mix Them

The ♭3 → 3 move. The most-used blues move: play C (minor 3rd) and slide or bend it up one fret to C♯ (major 3rd). That one fret is the sound of the blues.
Match the chord. Over the I chord (A7), lean on major notes (C♯, F♯). Over the IV chord (D7), lean on minor notes (C, G). Over the V chord (E7), either works.
Start minor, end major (or the reverse). Begin a phrase with the minor pentatonic for tension and resolve it on C♯ or F♯ for a sweet ending.
Don't mix over minor chords. Over Am or a minor-key song, the major 3rd (C♯) clashes. Stick to the minor pentatonic there.

Open A Minor Pentatonic in the Interactive Fretboard →

Free: minor and major pentatonic in all 5 boxes, any key. The blue note is part of Pro.

A Shortcut: Major Is the Minor Shape 3 Frets Down

A major pentatonic uses the same five shapes as F♯ minor pentatonic, three frets lower, because they share the same notes. So if you know your minor boxes, you already know the major ones: slide the shape down three frets and the root moves. See both scales in every key: A minor, A major, and the other key pages.

More ways to get out of one shape: break out of the pentatonic box. The chord behind it all: A7 arpeggio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you mix major and minor pentatonic scales?

Yes, over blues and dominant 7 chords. The minor pentatonic gives the bluesy notes and the major pentatonic adds sweet ones; many classic blues solos switch between them in the same phrase.

What notes do the major and minor pentatonic share?

Only the root and the 5th. In A, both scales contain A and E; minor adds C, D and G, and major adds B, C sharp and F sharp.

When should I not mix major and minor pentatonic?

Over minor chords or in a minor key. The major 3rd clashes with a minor chord, so use the minor pentatonic there.

How do I find the major pentatonic from the minor shape?

Move the minor pentatonic shape down three frets. A major pentatonic uses the same notes and shapes as F sharp minor pentatonic.

More guides: pentatonic boxes guide · connecting the 5 boxes · breaking out of the box · learning the fretboard notes · left-handed scale charts · guitar modes explained.

Pentatonic Scale Charts for Every Key

A Minor E Minor G Minor D Minor B Minor C Minor F Minor Bb Minor A Major E Major G Major D Major B Major C Major F Major Bb Major

← Read the full guide: How to Use Pentatonic Boxes

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