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Learning the Pentatonic Modes
The A minor Pentatonic Scale [A - C - D - E - G - A] How it is Derived
The Chromatic Scale The chromatic scale is a set of twelve pitches (more completely, pitch classes) used in tonal music, with notes separated by the interval of a semitone.
The Diatonic Major and Minor Scales The eight-note scales, ( the familiar do-re-me-fa-so-la-ti-da,) are derived from the chromatic scale.
The Pentatonic Scales The link below to the illustration has helpful information about how the five note pentatonic scales, major and minor, which are abbreviated versions of the diatonic scale, are constructed.
The minor scale is a low key version of the major scale. Flat the third, sixth, and seventh of the major scale to attain the minor scale. To derive the minor pentatonic from the minor scale, delete the 2nd and 6th degrees.
Illustration: The A major & minor, and, pentatonic A major & minor scales.The Minor scale step pattern: The first degree is the root. From the root to the second degree is a whole step. From the second degree to the third is 1/2 step. The third to the fourth is a whole step.; The fourth to the fifth is a whole step. From the fifth to the sixth is 1/2 step. To the seventh is a whole step. From the seventh to the Octave is a whole step. Verify with the illustration. The step pattern of the A minor pentatonic scale (A-C-D-E-G-A) is one and a half steps from the root to the two; that is, from the A to the C. One step (two frets) to the three, the D. One step to the four, the E, and one and one half steps, or three frets, to the five, the G. That completes the five note scale, leaving one step to the octave, the A note. Again, verify. The step pattern is the same for all keys.