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
hi devon, are there tabs for your lessons?? where do I find them?
Yep, the tablature is located right below each lesson video. There will be a tablature button for each lesson if tablature is available…most lessons come with tablature, and all recent and new lessons posting in the future will come with tablature.
I’ve been playing a while but going back and working on good technique and learning some country and bluegrass. This is a great lesson to get started.
Dang why didn’t anyone tell me this sooner!? Thanks Devin!
Thank you so much Devin, I’ve been playing for years but never quite understood the country basics. Start to get a little grip already! Thank you! Greetings from The Netherlands.
just what i been looking for country/bluegrass lessons and a great teacher.but i do have a question maybe someone can help me with. when i go to full screen the audio isnt effected but the video stops playing so i cant see wht is being done. is there something i can do to watch it full screen? i am old and dont see well lol ty
Thanks, glad you’re enjoying the lessons! I did a quick test on my MacBook and it seems to be working here, but there are strange bugs with different devices sometimes. Can you tell me what device you’re using? Here are a couple simple things you can try… Definitely try completely rebooting your computer/device. If that doesn’t work, make sure your browser up-to-date. We recommend using Google Chrome as your browser. Next, make sure your operating system is up-to-date. If you need help figuring out how to update your browser or operating system, you can search for instructions on Google. Hope… Read more »
hello i tried rebooting and didnt help. i amon desk top and windows is windows7 home premium.not sure if that will help any oh and i use firefox which i have had trouble with before but got it fixed. i can see the lessons without going to full screen but my eyes are bad and it is easieer for me on fullscreen. could it maybe be something in firefox? dumb question lol i can use full screen on other videos thx for trying to help me. hope this is the info u needed
I’ll you an email and maybe we can troubleshoot it some…
Buenas noches Devin y saludos a todos desde España. Estoy dando mis primeros pasos en la música country con mucha ilusión. Me han regalado por mi cumpleaños una bonita guitarra y creo que estoy en el buen camino, puesto que tus primeras lecciones son muy interesantes. Espero seguir avanzando con tu ayuda. Un cordial saludo. Good afternoon Devin and greetings to all from Spain. I am taking my first steps in country music with great enthusiasm. For my birthday they gave me a nice acoustic guitar and I think I’m on the right track. Your first lessons are very interesting.… Read more »
I’m quite an experienced player (strummer) and play in a band. I came to this course because for the last 9 months I’ve been learning and practicing the major, minor, major pentatonic, minor pentatonic and blues scales all over the neck, and I wanted to put these into practice in a style I love. I wish I’d been taught guitar this way in the first place! Nice lesson Devin – I’m going to start having some fun.
That b3 slipped in at 13:12 because your fingers know when to exploit the blues scale, even when your brain is thinking major pentatonic. The result is a more interesting transition, and it’s a nice segue into the next lesson.
that was fun like the approach helped open my eyes
Im really happy I found this site, I have just been working on this first lesson and I already feel like I have learned so much more than I have ever learned before on YouTube or any other lessons. How much do you guys usually tip? because I know he lives off this site alone, so I don’t want to be the weak link here.
Great lesson
Question: G Major G minor Pentatonic Scale: Are we flat the 3rd in minor and drop the 6th and flat 7th in the Major pentatonic?
Devin, thanks for stressing slow and QUIET in this lesson. I’ve watched tons of you tube videos and you are the first one that I remember stressing the quiet part. It has helped a lot. My guitar and family members thank you!
Devin,
l’ve tried Guitar Tricks, and JamPlay and I find your lessons to be easier to understand, easier to navigate, and just better quality. Glad I found your site .. I’m 73, and been trying to play for about 3 years. I’m looking forward to improving as a result of your lessons. By the way, I’m a lefty…..lol
Man I was trying to learn ALL keys major, minor…. No one pointed out to me in country and bluegrass you mainly only use the Gmajor, pentantatonic and minors. This really makes me feel like maybe I can learn country’s tune. Good start! Thanks
It would be helpful if you could chart the scales in tablature form
that is freaking helpful! 🙂 thnx!!
A really useful intro! I tend to make the G-chord with my index finger on the 5th string, which can cause some hand / brain confusion. But hey…
Great lesson Devon. I’ve always been an open cord strummer and have wanted to learn this kind of music since the first time I’ve picked up a guitar. Glad I found you.
Can I print the practice tablature?
Yep! On any lesson, just click the lesson tablature button below the video(s) and that will take you to the tablature page… on that next page, there’s a little download button on the PDF viewer menu bar where you can download the print-friendly tablature.
Hello Devin,
I’ve got a pretty basic question. Why is G pentatonic scale 5th position played at first fret? Why are the positions named as they are?
Not a basic question at all…it’s kind of confusing until you wrap your head around it. Basically, when it comes to the pentatonic scales, you only have five shapes to memorize in total (and this is true for major and minor pentatonic scales). I always call each of these scale shapes “positions” and if you check out the scale charts here https://countryguitaronline.com/major-pentatonic-scales/ you’ll notice that each shape (position) is the exact same when you look at one key to the next…the difference is the starting point, or the location/fret on the neck where you play the shape. It just so… Read more »