Mixing the Major and Minor Pentatonic Scales Together

April 13, 2025April 10, 2016 by Devin

Lesson ID: A0065

In this guitar lesson I’ll teach you an easy way to switch back and forth between the major and minor pentatonic scales. This is one of the most important concepts of playing lead guitar and it is very common in country and bluegrass music. Developing this technique will add a whole new layer to your soloing!

Guitar Lesson

Video Start Time	Lesson Topic
00:00 min	Lesson Overview
01:24 min	Major and Minor Pentatonic Scale Comparison
03:48 min	Easy Way to Mix Major and Minor Pentatonics
05:04 min	Why Should You Switch Between These Scales?
05:40 min	Make Your Solo Sound More “Country”
06:27 min	More Improvising Tips

Backing Track

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19 Comments

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Mark (@guest_248)

9 years ago

#248

Amazing lesson! This really helped me out a bunch!

Clint B (@guest_249)

9 years ago

#249

Thanks man!!

NelsonJ45 (@guest_250)

9 years ago

#250

Love it thanks Devin! Great tip. I’m going to work on this.

CountryPicker (@guest_251)

9 years ago

#251

Good stuff!

JRSounds (@guest_255)

9 years ago

#255

Thanks!

Aytan Leibowitz(@aytan72)

9 years ago

#256

Thanks for breaking this down. The way you break it down makes it look so simple! Now, time to practice.

Nobird (@guest_259)

9 years ago

#259

Very helpful!

robert runninger(@robertrun4172)

9 years ago

#357

a great help devin! thanks

uguryanc(@uguryancgmail-com)

8 years ago

#1069

thanx alot!!

kathyoregon62(@kathyoregon62gmail-com)

8 years ago

#1114

Excellent lesson and the backing track is a big help! Thank you.

J T(@jtaylor1024gmail-com)

8 years ago

#1167

Really really great information. I can’t tell you how much this site has helped me move my abilities forward.

Author

Devin(@devin)

8 years ago

#1168

Reply to J T

Thanks J T! Always great to hear positive feedback about the lessons. Glad they’re helping out.

cassarta11(@cassarta11gmail-com)

7 years ago

#3012263

Same scale shape : so i start major then go to minor. I got this. But i can obviously going from a one scale to another in a different shape … Right ? … Everything was understood.. Just the end …

Author

Devin(@devin)

7 years ago

#3012287

Reply to cassarta11

It’s been a long time since I’ve taken a look at this lesson…can you be more specific with your question as far as going from one scale to another in a different shape? Are you talking about the proper path for learning the scales? Or moving from one scale position to another as you’re soloing?

cassarta11(@cassarta11gmail-com)

7 years ago

#3012290

Reply to Devin

It s ok , i went through other lessons explaining it so everything s gonna be alright ! Cheers

Jocelyn(@jocelyn)

5 years ago

#14044865

Good lesson Devin!

johnny S(@jlselfincgmail-com)

5 years ago

#14046484

This lesson is helpful, & makes sense.

jerseychicadee(@jerseychicadee)

5 years ago

#14046492

This is what I needed to go along with my exercises!

jennifer swad(@jencswadgmail-com)

1 year ago

#15095442

So then the major pentatonic doesn’t have to start on the tonic note?