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Music
Grade 6-12
Guitar Scales & Pentatonic Patterns Cheat Sheet
A printable reference covering major scales, minor scales, pentatonic boxes, interval formulas, and movable guitar patterns for grades 6-12.
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This cheat sheet covers the basic guitar scale formulas and pentatonic patterns students use for melodies, solos, riffs, and improvisation. It helps players connect notes on the fretboard instead of memorizing random finger shapes. Students need these patterns to understand how scales are built and how they move to different keys. The focus is on practical formulas, common box patterns, and simple ways to apply them while playing.
Key Facts
- The major scale formula is W-W-H-W-W-W-H, where W means whole step and H means half step.
- The natural minor scale formula is W-H-W-W-H-W-W.
- The major pentatonic formula is 1-2-3-5-6, which removes scale degrees 4 and 7 from the major scale.
- The minor pentatonic formula is 1-b3-4-5-b7, which is one of the most common rock, blues, and pop guitar scales.
- A whole step on guitar equals 2 frets, and a half step equals 1 fret.
- A movable scale pattern keeps the same finger shape but changes key when the root note moves to a new fret.
- The relative minor starts on scale degree 6 of a major scale, so C major and A minor use the same notes.
- The blues scale adds b5 to the minor pentatonic scale, giving the formula 1-b3-4-b5-5-b7.
Vocabulary
- Scale
- A scale is an ordered set of notes arranged by a specific pattern of intervals.
- Interval
- An interval is the distance in pitch between two notes.
- Root note
- The root note is the starting note that gives a scale or chord its letter name.
- Pentatonic scale
- A pentatonic scale is a five-note scale often used for simple melodies, riffs, and solos.
- Fretboard position
- A fretboard position is a playing area where the hand stays near one group of frets.
- Movable pattern
- A movable pattern is a guitar shape that can be shifted up or down the neck to play in another key.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting a movable pattern on the wrong root note is wrong because the same shape only matches the intended key when the root is placed correctly.
- Confusing major pentatonic and minor pentatonic is wrong because major pentatonic uses 1-2-3-5-6 while minor pentatonic uses 1-b3-4-5-b7.
- Skipping the interval formula and only memorizing boxes is risky because you may not understand why the pattern works or how to change keys.
- Playing every scale note with the same emphasis can sound unmusical because strong melodies often target root notes, chord tones, and repeated rhythmic ideas.
- Thinking one fret equals one whole step is wrong because one fret is a half step and two frets make a whole step.
Practice Questions
- 1 Using the major scale formula W-W-H-W-W-W-H, list the notes of the C major scale starting on C.
- 2 If the root note of a minor pentatonic box is on the 5th fret of the low E string, what key is the pattern in?
- 3 Write the scale degrees for the A minor pentatonic scale using the formula 1-b3-4-5-b7.
- 4 Explain why the same pentatonic box can be moved to different frets to play in different keys.