How to Play the Pentatonic Scale for Slide Guitar

A slide guitar is an electric guitar that performers play with a finger slide. A finger slide slurs the notes of the guitar. The pentatonic scale is a scale with 5 pitches per octave. The scales are often used in blues and rock. The pentatonic scale is predominantly used with major notes but can also be used in the minor spectrum.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Learn how to construct pentatonic scales. There are 2 ways to construct a pentatonic scale. The first way is to take 5 consecutive pitches from the circle fifths. For example, in the C major scale the notes are
   C, D, E, G and A. The other way to construct the scale is to omit 2 pitches from the same diatomic scale. For example, the C major scale is again C, D, E, G and A. In both you omit the F and B notes.

2. Start on the fifth fret and play the C major note. The C note in the fifth fret is played on the G string, the third string from the top.

3. Move your fingers to play a D note. The D in the fifth fret is played on the A string, the second string from the bottom.

4. Press your finger down on the second string from the top in the fifth fret. This is the E note.

5. Play a G in the C major pentatonic scale. To do this, press down on the D string in the fifth fret. The D string is 3 strings from the bottom.

6. Move your fingers into position for the A note. The A note is played on the bottom string of the fifth fret.

7. Play the scale in different octaves. Move up and down the fret board to the tenth or first fret in order.