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G ionian pentatonic Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: F#, G, B, C, D at frets 2, 3, 7, 8, 10

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

D string: D, F#, G, B, C, D at frets 0, 4, 5, 9, 10, 12

G string: G, B, C, D, F#, G at frets 0, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12

B string: B, C, D, F#, G, B at frets 0, 1, 3, 7, 8, 12

High E string: F#, G, B, C, D at frets 2, 3, 7, 8, 10

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G 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:

G

I

B

III

C

IV

D

V

F♯

VII

Same notes, different mode

G 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.

B pelog

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

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

How to play G ionian pentatonic on guitar

Open G hands you the root, open B the major third and open D the fifth, so a full tonic triad rings on unfretted strings. Box one sits at fret 3 off the low E root, ending at fret 7, which lets the three open strings reinforce whatever you fret inside it. One sharp in the key signature. E-shape barre lives at fret 3 with the A-shape at 10, and 4 semitones up the same fingering doubles as B pelog.

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