2-5 · Fretboard Practice: A Major Pentatonic Stack

As you did with the minor pentatonic stack in Module 1, you can practice the major pentatonic stack by playing a simple phrase in multiple positions on the fretboard.

Some simple phrases to start with:

1. Play the root (the lower note on the upper string), then the note two frets higher, then return to the root.
2. Start with the root and hammer-on to the note two frets higher. Then walk down the scale to the upper note on the lower string. Then play the lower note on the middle string and finish on the root.

Root-finding strategies:

1. Start at the nut and work toward the bridge.
2. Start on the higher frets and work toward the nut.

Exercise 1-4: Mix and match phrases and root finding strategies.

This is the first A major pentatonic example played “in threes” in the video, and it is included so that you can check your work. I do not recommend learning to play these examples from tablature!

Here is the descending example in A major pentatonic:

Exercise 5: Play up and down the diagonal pathways in groups of three notes.

Exercise 6: Play a brief phrase inside one stack, then add notes to connect to another stack diagonally, and finally, play the same phrase again inside the second stack.

Before moving on, spend some time playing the A major pentatonic stack in every possible position on the fretboard and practice connecting stacks to each other diagonally.