🎸 How to Play the A Minor Pentatonic Scale on Guitar: 5 Positions Every Guitarist Should Know
If you’re learning to solo on guitar, mastering the A minor pentatonic scale is a must. It’s one of the most popular guitar scales because it’s easy to learn, sounds amazing, and works in almost every style — from blues and rock to metal and pop.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
✅ What the A minor pentatonic scale is
✅ Why it’s important for guitar players
✅ The 5 positions of the A minor pentatonic scale (with tabs)
✅ Tips for practicing and connecting the positions
By the end of this post, you’ll have the tools to solo all over the neck confidently!
🎸 What is the A Minor Pentatonic Scale?
The A minor pentatonic scale is a 5-note scale built from the A natural minor scale. The notes are:
A – C – D – E – G
It’s called “pentatonic” because it has five tones. On guitar, it’s often the first scale players learn because it’s:
Simple to memorize
Easy to play
Great for improvising over A minor or C major chords
If you’ve ever played a blues or rock solo, you were probably using the minor pentatonic!
📈 Why Learn All 5 Positions of the A Minor Pentatonic?
Most guitarists start with just one shape of the A minor pentatonic scale (the “box” shape at the 5th fret).
But to really unlock the guitar neck, you need to learn all 5 positions.
By knowing all positions, you can:
✅ Solo anywhere on the fretboard
✅ Create more musical and dynamic solos
✅ Connect your licks fluidly without getting stuck in one box
Thanks to Nova Go for sponsoring this post and video lesson on the A Minor Pentatonic Scale. Check out the Nova Go at our affiliate link here. We may receive commission for your purchase at no extra cost to you.
🪜 The 5 Positions of the A Minor Pentatonic Scale (With Tabs)
Here are the five positions of the A minor pentatonic scale on guitar. Practice each shape slowly and memorize the patterns before moving on.
🔷 Position 1: The Classic “Box” Shape (5th fret)
e|-----------------------------5-8-|
B|-----------------------5-8-------|
G|-----------------5-7-------------|
D|-----------5-7-------------------|
A|-----5-7-------------------------|
E|-5-8-----------------------------|
🔷 Position 2: Starting at the 8th fret
e|-----------------------------8-10-|
B|-----------------------8-10-------|
G|-----------------7-9--------------|
D|-----------7-10-------------------|
A|-----7-10-------------------------|
E|-8-10-----------------------------|
🔷 Position 3: Starting at the 10th fret
e|-----------------------------10-12-|
B|-----------------------10-13-------|
G|-----------------9-12--------------|
D|-----------10-12-------------------|
A|-----10-12-------------------------|
E|-10-12-----------------------------|
🔷 Position 4: Starting at the 12th fret
e|-----------------------------12-15-|
B|-----------------------13-15-------|
G|-----------------12-14-------------|
D|-----------12-14-------------------|
A|-----12-15-------------------------|
E|-12-15-----------------------------|
🔷 Position 5: Starting at the 15th fret
e|-----------------------------15-17-|
B|-----------------------15-17-------|
G|-----------------14-17-------------|
D|-----------14-17-------------------|
A|-----15-17-------------------------|
E|-15-17-----------------------------|
🔗 How to Connect the 5 Positions
Once you’re comfortable with each position individually, start practicing sliding between them. Here’s how:
Start in Position 1, then shift up to Position 2, and so on.
Play scales ascending in one position and descending in the next.
Use a backing track in A minor and experiment with connecting shapes while soloing.
This is how professional guitarists move fluidly all over the fretboard!
🎯 Practice Tips for the A Minor Pentatonic Scale
✅ Use a metronome and start slow (60–80 bpm)
✅ Play both ascending and descending patterns
✅ Add bends, slides, and hammer-ons for expression
✅ Practice over different chord progressions in A minor and C major
✅ Record yourself and listen back to improve phrasing
🚀 Next Steps
The A minor pentatonic scale in 5 positions is your ticket to becoming a confident improviser.
Take the time to learn and practice these shapes every day, and soon you’ll find yourself creating solos all over the neck.