G Pentatonic Major

G Pentatonic scale for guitar.
The G Pentatonic Major is a five-note scale. The diagram shows a fingerboard with the scale notes. Darker color marks the root notes, which are G tones. In the two-octave pattern, the first root note is on the 6th string, 15th fret.

G Pentatonic Major 2 octaves

G Pentatonic Major scale diagram

G Pentatonic Major full fretboard

G Pentatonic Major scale whole guitar neck diagram

G Pentatonic Major with note names

G Pentatonic Major scale with note letters diagram

Shape 1 (2nd position)

G Pentatonic Major scale shape diagram 2nd pos

Shape 5 (open position)

G Pentatonic Major scale shape diagram open pos
Notes: G - A - B - D - E Intervals: 2 - 2 - 3 - 2 - 3 Type: Pentatonic

The scale and its scale degrees.

Formula Notes
1 G
2 A
3 B
5 D
6 E

The fourth degree is omitted, as well as the seventh, since the degrees are based on the regular Major seven-note scale.

The interval formula (2 - 2 - 3 - 2 - 3) can be expound into specific notes of the scale.

Notes (ascending) Interval
G-A M2
G-B M3
G-D P5
G-E M6
Notes (descending) Interval
G-E m3
G-D P4
G-B m6
G-A m7

Abbreviations are used: M / m stands for major / minor and P stands for perfect.

The notes in the scale can be described as intervals, written as 2 - 2 - 3 - 2 - 3 from the first note to the first in next octave.
The G Pentatonic Major is relative to E Pentatonic Minor. Both scales include the same notes but with different root notes.

Some of the chords that are related to this scale are listed here:

  • G
  • Am7
  • Bm7
  • Dsus4
  • Em

The tones in these chords correspond to the tones of the G Pentatonic Major scale. Notice that the match is not completely exact, the third (C) in Am7 and the fifth (F#) in Bm7 are not included in the scale.

Related to this scale is the G Pentatonic Major add4, adding the 4th degree. It can be displayed as follows:

Formula Notes Intervals Degrees
1 G Unison Tonic
2 A Major second Supertonic
3 B Major third Mediant
4 C Perfect fourth Subdominant
5 D Perfect fifth Dominant
6 E Sixth Submediant

The G Pentatonic Major add4 scale, is identical with the G Major except for missing the major 7th interval.

Start the audio and play along! Use notes from the scale in the diagram above.

Normal tempo:
Slow tempo:

G Pentatonic Major scale first shape ascending.

G Pentatonic Major scale tab

The numbers above the tablature are suggested fingerings.