STRINGSCALES

A ionian pentatonic Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, G#, A, C#, D, E at frets 0, 4, 5, 9, 10, 12

A string: A, C#, D, E, G#, A at frets 0, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12

D string: D, E, G#, A, C#, D at frets 0, 2, 6, 7, 11, 12

G string: G#, A, C#, D, E at frets 1, 2, 6, 7, 9

B string: C#, D, E, G#, A at frets 2, 3, 5, 9, 10

High E string: E, G#, A, C#, D, E at frets 0, 4, 5, 9, 10, 12

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A ionian pentatonic

The ionian pentatonic keeps the root, major 3rd, 4th, 5th and major 7th of the major scale. Unlike the common major pentatonic it keeps both half-step tendencies (4 and 7), so it sounds like a compressed major scale rather than an open one. It outlines a major 7th chord with one passing tone, making it a compact source of maj7 arpeggio lines.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

A

I

C♯

III

D

IV

E

V

G♯

VII

Same notes, different mode

A ionian pentatonic uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

C# pelog

ionian pentatonic in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • A maj7 arpeggio plus the 4th: the root, 3rd (C#), 4th (D), 5th (E) and 7th (G#); play it as chord tones with one passing note and lines write themselves.
  • Both half steps resolve like the full major scale, the 4th (D) falling to the 3rd and the 7th (G#) rising to A, so the five notes still sound complete.
  • Use it over maj7 chords when the ordinary major pentatonic feels too country; the VII changes the register of the sound.
  • Practice the IV-III and VII-root resolutions as ornaments (hammer-ons into the chord tone) for melodic comping in A.

How to play A ionian pentatonic on guitar

Strike the open A string and you have the root; low E, D and high E ring the fifth and fourth around it, so four-string drones come free in this key. Box one anchors at fret 5 and is done by fret 9, which puts the whole first shape within reach of the open strings. E-shape barre at fret 5, A-shape at fret 12. Move the identical grip 4 semitones up and it becomes Db pelog.

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