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Fill Riffs with the 5th Position G Major Pentatonic Scale

Lesson 2 – Rhythm Fill Riffs and Lead Guitar Course
Lesson ID: A0090

The 5th position of the G major pentatonic scale is the most important scale position in country and bluegrass. It’s used all the time to play flatpicking licks and open chord rhythm embellishments. In this guitar lesson video, I’ll show you how to learn and practice the 5th position G major pentatonic scale. Then we’ll go over an easy way you can apply this scale to a basic country and bluegrass chord progression.

Lesson Video

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James
James (@guest_340)
7 years ago

This is very helpful for a beginner like me. Thanks! Can’t wait to watch the rest of the videos.

Alan Martinez
Alan Martinez(@alan)
7 years ago

Great lesson!

sundancer
sundancer(@sundancer)
7 years ago

Actually it left me a bit confused. In the lesson 2 video you set up a 6 bar progression but I don’t understand how the scales fit the progression. Would have been easier for me if you had included the tab with the scales played over that 6 bars. Don’t feel comfortable moving on without really understand this much. Can you clarify. Kind of slow in my old age. 🙂

Troy
Troy (@guest_354)
7 years ago

Devin check the link on the [VIDEO] tab for video 2 the link reads https://countryguitaronline.com/how-to-use-the-5th-position-g-major-pentatonic-scale/. When I right click and open link to new window I get the video. It is a programming error on that tab. Let me know if that helps our problem.

sundancer
sundancer(@sundancer)
7 years ago
Reply to  Devin

We got it Devin. Thanks for your patience.

Troy
Troy (@guest_1038)
6 years ago
Reply to  Devin

I didn’t get those files Devin

hunter6291
hunter6291(@hunter6291aol-com)
7 years ago

I’m a little confused. I printed out your scales and the G major on the download doesn’t match the one you use in this lesson?

nemo
nemo (@guest_574)
7 years ago
Reply to  Devin

oh crap, yes… that link explained it all, starting to make sense

Lars Dahl
Lars Dahl(@lars)
7 years ago

Just really really cool. Put clear and simple to follow. Thanks.

Janice
Janice (@guest_542)
7 years ago

Just discovered this after coming back to guitar playing after years of ukulele and bass. Loving your teaching style. Easy to understand. Thank you so much.

nemo
nemo (@guest_552)
7 years ago

Oh yeah, I’m starting to sound more like the way I hear it in my head, thank you so much

Karl
Karl (@guest_580)
7 years ago

Your way of explaning is really easy to follow. I’m glad I discovered you website today. Keep up the good work!

jasondp
jasondp(@jasondphotmail-com)
7 years ago

Hello Devin, I am loving the lessons so far. I would love you see/hear and example of the above “practice tablature” in the lesson. Having that really helps with how it’s SUPPOSED to sound.

Thanks!!

Jason

Edward Pittman
Edward Pittman(@earlpittman20)
2 years ago
Reply to  Devin

Devin,
I am working on this lesson also, and knowing how it should sound would be most helpful. Thanks.

allangarvey123
allangarvey123(@allangarvey123gmail-com)
6 years ago

Hey Devin,
I definitely need to work on my scales, but I have the alternate strumming pretty good, thanks.

strattongary606
strattongary606(@strattongary606gmail-com)
6 years ago

Glad to find the tabs. I have a hard time keeping up with your speed! This way I can work at my own snails pace!

JD Wilkin
JD Wilkin (@guest_774)
6 years ago

One of the best lessons I’ve ever watched. Great job. I will see you in the member area soon!
– JD

scottintacoma253
scottintacoma253 (@guest_801)
6 years ago

I have tried countless sites and finally found one that works for me. I am stoked about guitar again. Gracias

larrydnewman
larrydnewman(@larrydnewmanyahoo-com)
6 years ago

I know you say don’t waste time watching same lesson and move on, but, at my stage of playing, I watch, practice, screw up, watch it again, practice more. I think I am getting it though, thanks. Larry

Craig
Craig (@guest_880)
6 years ago

Superb lesson. I’ve already learned a lot with your free videos — on my way to sign up for Gold Pick. Looking foward to watching more.

Walt
Walt (@guest_906)
6 years ago

I just found this site and I will say I think you’ve got some of the best lessons and teaching I’ve come across. Will sign up for Gold Pick tomorrow.

Walt

stephenlweaver
stephenlweaver(@stephenlweavergmail-com)
6 years ago

Thanks Devin, spot on lesson. I don’t know if you have ever looked at your competition but let me tell you this has been the best I have found.

jacques.vadot
jacques.vadot(@jacques-vadotyahoo-fr)
6 years ago

Hi Devin, I’ve just discovered your lessons and I’m stunned at the quality and effectiveness of them.
What you show sounds great, and you give the tools to understand what we do.
Thank you 1000 times, exactly what I’ve been looking for ages.
Please keep this wonderful work,

Jack from France.

rone
rone (@guest_959)
6 years ago

muito boa essa lição, no speak english, but i see the lesson , tank you…

rtcalmes
rtcalmes(@rtcalmeswindstream-net)
6 years ago

Devin,
Your lessons are awesome. I can strum and sing hundreds of songs, but I’ve needed to find an understandable course to go to the next level. Your lessons are of the upmost quality. I’m a teacher by profession and the way you teach is step by step and logical. Many guitar teachers don’t explain things in detail and it causes confusion for the student. Keep up the awesome lessons!!!!

wtbjr67
wtbjr67(@wtbjr67gmail-com)
6 years ago

My question has been answered.

joyjade
joyjade(@joyjadesbcglobal-net)
6 years ago

For the Practice Tablature in this lesson, is there an audio version of this so I can hear this piece?

William Candelaria
William Candelaria (@guest_1234)
6 years ago

Thanks Devin for the simple yet great way in which you teach the country style guitar. I’m an old man that has always enjoyed country music though I mostly play in church.
Watching your videos has helped me more in a short time than everything I’ve been trying to accomplish my whole life…..I thank God for you, cause it’s a blessing for me.
At my age I might not accomplish much but at least I enjoy what I like the most. Thanks and may God bless you.

Wally Walsh
Wally Walsh (@guest_1237)
6 years ago

I just happened upon one of your videos today on YouTube as I thought about learning a lick or two. Really enjoyed the explanations and pace so I’ve gone right back to lesson one and now I’m learning the 5th pos pentatonic and loving it. Excellent learning resource. Thank you.

Robert Kunz
Robert Kunz (@guest_1370)
6 years ago

I like your lessons. I don’t know how long it will take me to grasp these lessons. But if my efforts are as good as my intentions I should do O.K. I really like the way you are teaching. I am 83 years old, and I don’t have much trouble catching on, as long as I have my basic’s down good. I want to learn to improvise and play fill between chords. I have 7 years behind me on the electric guitar. (strat). I am impressed with your lessons, and I want to move on.

Robert Kunz
Robert Kunz (@guest_1376)
5 years ago

First time I have taken a minor scale and did a 145 and had fill of anything by adliving. Sounded good
for a first time. It has opened my eye’s as to what can be done with a little practice. Now my question would be, am I getting this right. Or rather am I on the right track?

richardg1
richardg1(@richardg1sctv-coop)
5 years ago

Any body else having problems printing the tablature for this?

richardg1
richardg1(@richardg1sctv-coop)
5 years ago
Reply to  Devin

Thanks for info.

Carole
Carole(@cselin305gmail-com)
5 years ago

Very helpful. I like to know both the scales and riffs. The Pull offs don’t ring as much as the hammer ons. Is there a trick?

bhogston
bhogston(@bhogstonyahoo-com)
5 years ago

I am really having trouble with understanding the scales. In this lesson for example, the 5th position G Major Pentatonic scale shown in the video looks nothing like the one in the scale charts section, I just don’t understand. Please help. I have the one in the video down fairly well, but when I pulled up the charts to work on the other positions, I was blown away.

bhogston
bhogston(@bhogstonyahoo-com)
5 years ago
Reply to  Devin

Thank You!

stephvdh1
stephvdh1(@stephvdh1gmail-com)
5 years ago

I have been wanting to learn country and bluegrass and very happy to have found your lessons here! The tabs you provide are very clear, thank you! I enjoyed the lesson and looking forward to practising and advancing in this style of music.

jrprice
jrprice(@jrpricecompassnet-com)
5 years ago

Just joined up after reviewing a couple of your lessons. Been pretty much a “strummer” and have been looking for a good explanation of fills and pentatonic scales. But, I do have one suggestion. It would be very useful if you included, either in the lesson or standalone, a “slow walkthrough” demo of the practice tablature. Not so much the rhythm but the fills themselves, as tabbed.

Thanks and looking forward to more…

Nancy
Nancy(@njhicks66yahoo-com)
5 years ago

Finally I understand pentatonic scalesl!

tkeibler
tkeibler(@tkeiblerme-com)
5 years ago

I’m not sure if this is the right place to ask this kind of question, but have any of you played at an assisted living/memory care setting? My group got asked to play and we are trying to put together an appropriate set list. If you’ve played before, did you have songs that folks seemed to respond really well to? Songs to sing along to? songs to tap your toes to? a healthy mixture of both? Do you have recommendations about what sing along songs work well? Thanks.

z2509public
z2509public(@z2509publicgmail-com)
5 years ago
Reply to  tkeibler

I would think that familiar songs would be well received – even if they’re about leaving this realm, like “Will the Circle be Unbroken”.

tkeibler
tkeibler(@tkeiblerme-com)
5 years ago
Reply to  z2509public

It’s funny. My group actually had a long conversation about songs like Circle and whether they would be appropriate or no in a nursing home setting. We’re trying to come up with an up beat set list with songs that will stay with them even after the band has packed up and gone home. Barnburners like Mt. Dew seem fun – any others?

naskorhan
naskorhan(@naskorhanlive-com)
5 years ago

Cool lesson lots to learn.

naskorhan
naskorhan(@naskorhanlive-com)
5 years ago

This series is really helpful I’m learning so much i don’t want to put my guitar down. Thanks Devin.

Jocelyn Beauregard
Jocelyn Beauregard(@jocelyn)
5 years ago

Excellent explanation , thanks Devin!

bachplay6
bachplay6(@bachplay6gmail-com)
5 years ago

This is powerful stuff. Add a couple blue notes to this and get some Tony Rice licks and lots of other hot licks.

cassarta11
cassarta11(@cassarta11gmail-com)
5 years ago

Devin.. i don t understand .. black spot means i Press the chord , white pi King ?