Learn to play the pentatonic scale at the 12th fret position

The next position of the A minor pentatonic scale will be starting at the 12th fret position.

Once again, we are still using the A minor pentatonic scale, but starting at the 12th fret. Recall that there are 5 notes in the pentatonic scale. The notes of the A minor pentatonic scale are: A C D E and G.

We are still going to play the A minor pentatonic scale, but staring with E note at the 12 fret position. Notice the fingering pattern below. 1-4, 1-4, 1-3, 1-3, 2-4, 1-4.

The first illustration below, shows the notes that are played and you will now start at the 12th fret. The second illustration shows the same scale, but the fingering is shown. It will take some time to get use to all the different fingering patterns. But, once you learn each pattern you can learn to easily convert them to modes.

Listen to this E to G

The fingering pattern for the A minor pentatonic scale starting the E note has been illustrated below.

The illustration below shows the suggested fingering pattern.

1 = index
2 = Middle
3 = Ring
4 = Pinkie
T = Thumb

The tablature has been included below.

You start this position with your 1 finger, 12th fret or E note Low E string. Then play the G note with the 4 finger, Low E string. The next note is played with the 1 finger on the A note, A string. Look above at all the note positions. Continue through the scale until you become comfortable with this pattern. Play it slow and clean. Play it one hundred times and don't look at the fretboard or strings. Alternate the pick.

I would like to open your eyes to a few guitar secrets. Once again, the illustration below is the A minor pentatonic scale starting on the E note. You can play this position of the A minor pentatonic scale at both open position (first red box) and at the 12th fret position (second red box). Each of these positions have the same notes. Remember all notes on the fretboard repeat after 12 frets.

The first red box below shows the A minor pentatonic scale starting with the E note in the open position. The notes have been illustrated and the guitar tablature has been included below.

A minor pentatonic scale tablature, starting on the E note in the open position. 

Now for the eye opening and very important information. If you learn all the A minor pentatonic scale positions, you can easily convert the positions to other scales. For example, you can easily convert the scale pattern below to the E Phrygian mode. You can learn all the modes of C major in lesson 17. However, I would like to explain how to convert the pentatonic to the major scale and modes. Let's go down to the next illustration.

Look below and notice there are now 2 extra notes in each red box below. The pentatonic scale has 5 different notes and the major scale has 7 different notes. If we add the F and B note to the pentatonic scale we have the Phrygian mode. The Phrygian mode is the 3rd mode in C major.

The Phrygian mode is a minor mode. Notice that the fingering pattern is similar to the pentatonic scale. If you learn each position of the pentatonic scale, you can easily play all the modes. Guitar Secrets is actually one of the first guitar sites on the internet.

I personally designed A Visual Learning Experience before the internet and created the website in the 90's. I invented the fretboard illustrations and using colors and most theory on the web and since almost all websites have been influenced by my initial designs. In other words, most lessons out there are now using my original ideas. 

There's only a few more pentatonic scale patterns to cover. The next position of the A minor pentatonic scale will be the 15th fret position starting at the G note.

Good Luck,

Guitar Secrets