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G major pentatonic scale on guitar
G major pentatonic uses G, A, B, D, and E. Box 1 spans frets 0–3 with roots on the sixth, fourth, and first strings.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
How do you play the G major pentatonic scale on guitar?
G major pentatonic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 12 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the low E string at fret 3, the G string at fret 0 and the high e string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 3 | E, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2 | A, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 3 | B, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 3 | E, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–5
G major pentatonic in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 5, 9 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the low E string at fret 3, the D string at fret 5 and the high e string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 5 (A) | 5 | D |
| 4 (D) | 5 | G |
| 3 (G) | 4 | B |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5 | D, E |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5 | G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
G major pentatonic in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 11 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the D string at fret 5 and the B string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 7 | D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 8 | E, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7 | A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
G major pentatonic in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 12 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the A string at fret 10 and the B string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 10 | B, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 10 | E, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10 | G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 10 | B, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–12
G major pentatonic in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 12, 10 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 10 and the G string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 4 (D) | 12 | D |
| 3 (G) | 12 | G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12 | A, B |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12 | D, E |
Why it sounds like that
G major pentatonic drops the fourth and seventh from G major, leaving intervals 1, 2, 3, 5, 6. The parent scale is G major. Removing C and F♯ eliminates the tritone and leading tone, producing a bright, open sound.
When to use it
G major pentatonic fits G major and G 5th chords, and it also works over A 5th and D 5th. Use it for folk, rock, and country in the key of G major. Try it over G major or G 5th.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. Its root on the sixth string, third fret is a common starting point that connects to the open G chord.
Common questions
What notes are in G major pentatonic?
G major pentatonic contains G, A, B, D, and E. These are the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th degrees of the G major scale. The fourth and seventh are omitted.
Which chords does G major pentatonic fit?
G major pentatonic fits G major and G 5th chords directly. It also works over A 5th and D 5th in progressions. The scale avoids the fourth and seventh, so it rarely clashes.
Is G major pentatonic the same as E minor pentatonic?
G major pentatonic shares the same notes as E minor pentatonic. The difference is the tonal center: G major pentatonic resolves to G, while E minor pentatonic resolves to E.