The Five Positions of the Pentatonic Scale

A Minor Pentatonic Practice Player

This page provides an interactive practice tool for the five connected positions of the A minor pentatonic scale. Each shape plays ascending and then descending so you can hear and practise the complete position.

Use the tempo, loop and metronome controls to repeat one position until it feels comfortable. The highlighted tonic notes show every A within each shape.

Start slowly and play each position cleanly five to ten times. Once the individual shapes feel secure, practise moving from one position into the next through their shared notes.

These examples use A minor pentatonic, but the patterns are movable. Shift every note by the same number of frets to practise the five positions in another key.

Select a Position to Practise

Click a position to open its tab player. Every exercise contains the full shape ascending and descending.

A Major Pentatonic Practice Player

Open a position below to practise the five connected shapes of the A major pentatonic scale. Each exercise plays the full position ascending and descending, with every A tonic highlighted.