Pattern Three of the Pentatonic Minor Scale

Alright after memorizing patterns one and two, we are ready to start on pattern three. If not please review it here, pattern one and pattern two.

The third pattern of the A minor pentatonic scale starts on “D”, which is on the tenth fret, the sixth string. Start this pattern with the second finger. This may sound odd beginning with the second finger, but almost all tenth fret notes will use that finger. I said almost because there is a shift with this pattern on the second string as you will see. Also, it does not hurt to play it this way to help strengthen your second finger and give it a little more independence.

Start on the sixth string tenth fret, with the second finger playing D. And then to the twelfth fret with your fourth finger playing E. The next string play the same fingering and pattern, now playing G note and A note. The same goes for string four, tenth and twelfth frets playing C and D.

The Shift

The next string, the third string, is where the change starts. Play E with your first finger on the ninth fret to G with your fourth finger on the twelfth fret. Not too bad so far, the second string we will shift up one fret with the index finger on the tenth fret for A, and using the fourth finger for the C note on the thirteenth fret. Keep this shift for the first string playing D tenth fret, the first string to E with the third finger ending on the twelfth fret.

Going back down apply the shifts going back down. Work on this shifting, it will help you with any shifting patterns with different scale patterns in the future.

Whew! How did you do? This is the only pattern that has a shifting of the hand. Remember going back down after the second string, use the fourth finger to switch onto the third string. This will set you up to use the first finger on the ninth fret and in doing so you should be using the same fingering on strings three to the sixth string as you did starting the third pattern of the A minor pentatonic scale.

Just as you did with patterns one and two, notice where the root notes are. To me, the octaves look like the shape of a C chord. Pattern one uses root note positions that remind me of an E chord, and pattern two uses root note patterns in the D shape. Later on, you might learn about the CAGED patterns, but that is for another writing. (Notice we have two more to go, A and G patterns for the CAGED pattern).

How to Practice

So now incorporate this new pattern with your practice. This lengthens your scope of playing the A minor pentatonic scale. Practice all patterns connected. Start on pattern one going up and down, then do the same for patterns two and three. You can also practice going up one pattern and then down the next pattern and so on. Another thing to do is play the last note on the pattern you are on twice if you go back down the scale. This just starts your picking over with a down/up pattern. So if you play pattern one going up and then down, you will play the C note on string one twice. And if you use the alternating pattern going up one pattern and then down the next, the last pattern you play, you will play twice.

That’s enough for now, keep practicing and as always, have fun!