Pentatonic scales

Separate degrees in one-string structure

 

E6 string

A string

D string

G string

B string

E1 string

 

The E pentatonic scale...

 

 

...can be structured in other ways than scale degrees, which is playing them on one string. In this structure connecting the different with each other it is easier than as for the basic scales (trichords).

 

Let's have an overview of the one-string scales, still in E:

• Starting from the 1^st degree: E6 and E1 strings

• Starting from the 2^nd degree: G string

• Starting from the 3^rd degree: A string

• Starting from the 4^th degree: B string

• Starting from the 5^th degree: D string

So here come the one-string pentatonic scales for each scale degrees:

 

E6 string, starting from the 1^st degree

 

A string, starting from the 3^rd degree

 

D string, starting from the 5^th degree

 

G string, starting from the 2^nd degree

 

B string, starting from the 4^th degree

 

E1 string, starting from the 1^st degree

 

You can see that starting the scale from note E all the degrees can be started on an open string. Here's the structure of the one-string scales in one mirror image:

 

 

In my opinion, the use of one-string scales is not very typical of blues music. However, you can still use them to connect scale degrees.