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F ionian pentatonic Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, A, Bb, C, E at frets 0, 1, 5, 6, 8, 12

A string: A, Bb, C, E, F, A at frets 0, 1, 3, 7, 8, 12

D string: E, F, A, Bb, C at frets 2, 3, 7, 8, 10

G string: A, Bb, C, E, F at frets 2, 3, 5, 9, 10

B string: C, E, F, A, Bb at frets 1, 5, 6, 10, 11

High E string: E, F, A, Bb, C, E at frets 0, 1, 5, 6, 8, 12

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F 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:

F

I

A

III

B♭

IV

C

V

E

VII

Same notes, different mode

F 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.

A pelog

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

tip
  • A maj7 arpeggio plus the 4th: the root, 3rd (A), 4th (Bb), 5th (C) and 7th (E); play it as chord tones with one passing note and lines write themselves.
  • Both half steps resolve like the full major scale, the 4th (Bb) falling to the 3rd and the 7th (E) rising to F, 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 F.

How to play F ionian pentatonic on guitar

Root sits at fret 1 on both E strings, so box one hugs the nut and is done by fret 5. Open low E, A and high E sound the major seventh and major third around it, color notes rather than roots. With a capo on fret 1, the open E fingering owns this key, which lets nut-position habits carry over intact. One flat in the signature.

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