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Alright, are you ready to play some triplets using the A minor pentatonic scale?

Triplets are three notes played in succession, per beat.

The image below shows the A minor pentatonic scale in the root note fret position. The first image below, is laid out in tablature form. Notice that this image does not show your fingers on it. The numbers now indicate the fret number and string you play. This guitar technique is very important and should be mastered. Leaning to play triplets can really help you burn up the fretboard. The triplet technique is a must learn and to incorporate into your lead guitar playing.

The image below shows the notes that make up the A minor pentatonic scale when played at the root note fret position. Take a look at the image below and remember the notes A-C-D-E-G. These are the notes that make up the A minor pentatonic scale. Penta means five, so the pentatonic scale is a 5 note scale. Notice that the A minor scale starts at the A note on the Low E string.

The image below shows the A minor pentatonic scale and the fingering pattern you use.

Notes above:  A-C, D-E, G-A, C-D, E-G, A-C

Fingers below: 1-4, 1-3, 1-3, 1-3, 1-4, 1-4. 

Check out the image below. 

The fingering number system has been illustrated below. The numbers on the fretboard represent each finger listed below. When you see the numbers 1 and 4 on Low E string, that means you play the 1 with you 1 finger and the 4 with your 4 finger. Notice that the 1 and 4 are four frets apart. You would use your 1 and 3 finger on the A string as illustrated above.

1 = Index finger
2 = Middle finger      
3 = Ring finger
4 = pinkie
T = Thumb

To play the A minor pentatonic scale triplet exercise in the tablature form below, you would play from left to right using fingering pattern below.

The first note is played at the 5th fret and on the Low E string, see the first 5 below. Play that first note. Remember to start with your 1 finger. By the way, this first note on the Low E string 5th fret is the (A) note.

Now Listen to this scale Triplets starting with the Low E string (A) note 5th fret.

The second note played will be the red 8, look above. Play this note on the 8th fret Low E string. This is the (C) note on the image above. Find this (C) note on the Low E string. Remember play with the 4 finger.

The third note is the second red 5 below, which is the (D) note 5th fret. Find this (D) note on the second image above, on the A string, then play it using the 1 finger.

So now you have played the first 3 notes in red below. To continue, you need to play the next three notes 8, 5, 7. Then you would play the 5, 7, 5 and then 7, 5, 7. Continue all the way through the scale from the Low E to the high E string. Remember, when reading tablature, each number is the fret and each number is over the particular string that you play. That’s how you read tablature. 

Remember to have a triplet feel. 1-2-3   1-2-3 etc….. as you move through the pentatonic scale.

Good luck,

Guitar Secrets