How to Play The Pentatonic Scale (Fully Explained)
Рет қаралды 81,560
2 ай бұрынHere's the full explanation of the pentatonic scale!
How to Solo Video: • How to Improvise Solos...
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Thanks for watching!
@slowdownnurgonnaa 2 ай бұрын
Ur my guitar wendigoon
@kevinnickens 2 ай бұрын
Not kidding, this is my favorite comment I’ve ever gotten. I LOVE Wendigoon, and this to be compared to Wendi is an honor I’m not ready for
@slowdownnurgonnaa 2 ай бұрын
@@kevinnickens highest honor i can bestow 👌🏾
@coshuloser Ай бұрын
this is so true
@Casey250 2 ай бұрын
A short time to learn. A life time to master. The pentatonic scale was so confusing for so long. This hit the points that took so much time to piece together separately.
@kevinnickens 2 ай бұрын
Thanks man!
@Void3.0 12 күн бұрын
The only person I’ve found that puts dots where the finger touches. You have no idea how many videos I’ve went through I just couldn’t see it or understand the shape being made so I’m very grateful. Thank you. 💜
@davidmunoz3268 2 ай бұрын
clear, concise so helpful. absolutely love your videos.
@kevinnickens 2 ай бұрын
Awesome, thank you!
@zacharysanvicente2276 2 ай бұрын
Thank you so much for this video! As a guitar player who refuses to learn music theory (but realizes the necessity of it due to it's creative unshackling), I can't thank you enough for making it easy to learn for someone who has NO prior music theory knowledge.
@moinmubarak6752 2 ай бұрын
It's been 4 years since i started learning guitar and them gave up cz I didn't understand what use are scales. Your guitar map and now this video are giving me a new beginning. Thanks
@MarkoShreds 2 ай бұрын
We need more these. I never found a video which explained pentatonic scale so deeply and well. Keep making these theory videos!
@kevinnickens 2 ай бұрын
Will do!
@ooueyygooey 15 күн бұрын
Dude, I’ve watched so many videos on this. Yours is the first that explains scales so clearly. Thank you!!!!!!
@anthonyvillaa 2 ай бұрын
I don't know why, but this video actually inspired me to play my guitar more so than other videos. Maybe because all the other knowledge I got to know prior (thanks to you) is being interconnected in to one bigger 'thing'. That or because this just scratches my itch a little bit more lol, thank you!
@kevinnickens 2 ай бұрын
That's awesome! Thank you!
@McKenna.1230 2 ай бұрын
BABE BABE!! WAKE UP!! A NEW KEVIN NICKENS VIDEO JUST DROPPED!!
@bjornerickson6075 20 күн бұрын
As a person with a piano background this explanation finally put sense to me hearing of root notes and what Pentatonic is exactly... And how to use it. Thanks man, really appreciate this video things are finally starting to make sense after 8 months now from me picking up my strat😊
@syd24 18 күн бұрын
This is the best video explanation I’ve come across! I was so confused about the pentatonic/major/minor terminology and this finally gave me the bigger picture. I’ll definitely watch your video on the major pentatonic scale. Thanks!
@wongcctt1993 Ай бұрын
OMG I just happened to find your channel yesterday and it saves me. You're brilliant in noticing the problem that we have (that I can't even point it out coz I don't understand) and explain it so well!
@Sxndip Ай бұрын
Most helpful guitar video I’ve ever watched thanks for motivating me to pick up the guitar and practice again
@ghadah8459 2 күн бұрын
Thank you very much! I have watched other youtubers and I felt dumb not understanding anything even though the titles were “beginner” and felt like intermediate kinda level and I kinda stopped playing guitar after that, but I stumbled across your video and man you explained it straight to the point and with no complexity at all which made me excited to play again! Thank you!
@ivoroid Ай бұрын
I just want to say that you literally change my view in terms of Guitar Theory so as the discipline. I really can't believe we're getting this for free. I wish you the best.
@angellsantiago3135 Ай бұрын
Wow, I'm just a beginner in guitar and I just saw your video and opened my mind in away to see the music notes and make me understand a little bit more. Thank you
@tracylang6060 9 күн бұрын
I have been in a Pentatonix rut. As a new guitar player, I have a lot to learn and I didn’t understand how the Pentatonix scale worked. Your video has shown me a lot and I’m heading to my guitar right now. Thank you for the explanation.
@Sabathor 19 күн бұрын
You just opened a new WORLD to me! So easy to understand, amazing!
@bd1630 2 ай бұрын
Awesome clearly understood video. Can’t wait to get home and play around with it and Layla pentatonic scale
@Joe-lc6or 2 ай бұрын
this channel is a gold mine
@fntsmk Ай бұрын
Great job Kevin! You have a new fan. Liked and subscribed, and will be watching for a lot more from your channel. Thanks for the great video!
@abnercordero7093 2 ай бұрын
Brilliant description!
@meinhendl 21 күн бұрын
Some people have a special gift for teaching. many thanks!
@kieranmcallister3477 11 күн бұрын
Excellent lesson ,Thanks for sharing brilliantly explained
@Shefightsdifferent 12 күн бұрын
Thanks so much for the break down visually & verbally! So appreciated!!
@scottharrison9083 6 сағат бұрын
Great lesson. So clear
@DavidKerner-en1ww 2 ай бұрын
Keep these easy-to-understand videos coming.
@andaniletlalo2877 2 ай бұрын
Ive been lookin for for this. Thank you so much❤❤❤
@kevinnickens 2 ай бұрын
You're welcome! Glad this helped!
@rusticrichmusic 2 ай бұрын
Best explanation I've ever heard!
@kevinnickens 2 ай бұрын
Thanks!
@MaryWatkins-sh4di 3 күн бұрын
OMG Great tutorial! I was so intimidated by the Pentatonic capital P! Watching your video reminds me of when Toto pulled the curtain back from the "W"izard of Oz! You are a terrific teacher, the visuals are very helpful.
@wouterlukas6062 Ай бұрын
Another great explanation, thanks a lot!
@gankeepoon5647 Ай бұрын
Master, thank for your easy explanation about pentatonic scale, now i know how it work now i put into practice
@edcrutchfield3447 Ай бұрын
I was a million miles away from understanding you . Now about a Thousand!😁👍. Thank you . I’ll keep repeating your lessons
@No1karez 2 ай бұрын
Great lesson, this just what I need and perfect starting point. Thank you
@nealmcbaggins127 4 күн бұрын
What a great video! Thank you
@frankiehood7155 18 күн бұрын
Brilliantly explained my good man, I’ve been playing these scales all my life on my guitar and didn’t know it 🤣🤣🎸🏴
@jstmg3592 Ай бұрын
Nicely explained ❤
@hereticjonathan3067 2 ай бұрын
Your lessons are brilliant Kevin.👏👏
@kevinnickens 2 ай бұрын
Glad you like them!
@pr691 Ай бұрын
Thank you! This is so helpful😭
@dicecreamman1739 2 ай бұрын
Very helpful. I am new and old at the same time. I have learned some scales, but didn’t really know what to do with them until now. Probably should take some classes. Thank you. Keep it up.
@kinhma8941 Ай бұрын
Best video on KZfaq for this explanation
@holloPT 2 ай бұрын
Thanks so much! I just started learning this 2 days ago and this is so helpful. Really helped me connect some of the dots
@lindz425 23 күн бұрын
Thank you so much this was very helpful
@malexdico50 2 ай бұрын
@kevinnickens I am writing an ebook guide for people who want to learn how to play the guitar and I am including your lessons in it, putting them in the right order, so they can learn them step by step at their own pace. I have copied and pasted the links to your KZfaq videos so my future readers will be routed to your tutorials. I find your channel very educational, fun, and beginner-friendly. All your lessons are well-explained and organized. P.S. I am an average guitarist. Started learning when I was 14 years old, currently I am 27. I admit I still have so much to learn. I'm also a writer-wannabe that is why I'm writing this ebook guide about guitar for beginners.
@jexterviloria8268 23 күн бұрын
how’s the ebook going
@Akiosama1009 2 ай бұрын
I think the main thing that this video should mention is that the scale shape is movable along the fretboard. The notes that were displayed in the sticky notes represented the notes in the A Minor scale, even those beyond the first octave of the scale. I think that the idea as presented missed the main merit to the Minor Pentatonic Scale shape, the moveable nature of the scale. (All scale shapes are moveable - but since this is being shown as the basics of Pentatonic, the fact that the shape could be used for any root on the 6th string would be useful for the beginner.) It would also open up more of the fretboard for using the Minor Pentatonic, knowing that you can just start on a different root note and still have a valid shape/scale. Thanks for the info - the video did a good job of showing the shape itself. I think it could benefit from just a little bit more theory (the moveable nature of the scale, and the intervals making up the scale itself as a prior comment mentioned.) Also, looking forward to future videos showing your dad’s progress!
@akmt123 6 күн бұрын
Excellent, cheers from Canada....
@novitch5896 25 күн бұрын
you have no idea how much you helped me, thank you
@leeben1504 21 күн бұрын
Fantastic video! cleared the air on some of the theory. I think the wall I've hit is knowing what to do or where to go with the embellishments (bends, slides, hammer ons, ect) I can go up and down the scale fairly easily (could work on getting my speed up) but I just can't get that "light bulb" moment I hear so much about 😂
@drzephy 2 ай бұрын
Just started your level 3 and this is great!
@padmajabeshtee6305 19 күн бұрын
It’s so helpful 👏🏻👍🏻
@runningfree4606 27 күн бұрын
What a simple yet powerful lesson! Music instructors around the world have a lot to learn about you. Having knowledge is one thing, and having the ability to teach that knowledge is a different story. This particular lesson is very much appreciated.
@kenfrank3782 Ай бұрын
I just began learning the Am pentatonic pattern with my music teacher - but this video explained Sooo much more … Thanks … this was great 👍👍
@kevinnickens Ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@malthus101 Ай бұрын
maybe fire your teacher then?
@garywat9655 Ай бұрын
Understand the formulas: Major Pentatonic: 1 2 3 5 6 Minor Pentatonic: 1 b3 4 5 b7. They can exist separately, or as relatives of the same key. For example, note for note, G Major Pentatonic is just the relative major of E minor Pentatonic, and therefore *can be coming from the same scale, which is why the "3 frets down" trick works to find the relative. However, when you break away from the Relative... going back to theory, G Major Pentatonic can be coming from the I of G, IV of D, or even the V of C since the Major pentatonic scale doesn't have a 7th scale degree. Simultaneously, E Minor Pentatonic can be the ii of D, iii of C, or vi of G. One main benefit of the pentatonic scale is that its missing scale degrees allows one to more easily superimpose pentatonic scale patterns over other scales, not necessarily the major scale, but also over non-functioning scales that happen to align with it and therefore can be used to fill in contextual gaps that are of non-diatonic color. This is why the Pentatonic scale works so well in rock music, because the missing intervals in power 5 chords and pentatonic scales often used in that music allow for so many abrupt changes in harmonic context, which gives the player an opening for improvised leads and key changes. All that you would need to decide at that point is, are you playing major or minor?
@NickNimmin 2 ай бұрын
Excellent explanation. Thank you. 🙏
@kevinnickens 2 ай бұрын
Thanks! Glad you got value out of it!
@helgetrautmann9278 2 ай бұрын
Every video a straigth up banger
@David-kb7hm 2 ай бұрын
this is actually amazing
@purogc07 23 күн бұрын
Thank you! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@markp2132 Ай бұрын
Wow so clear to me now so pentatonic was repeat and it is octave, hmmn great learning! Thank you so much, will be helpful if you can make a video when to use octave and so on please
@Mike_2112 21 күн бұрын
As a beginner, I'd pay a lot of money for a subscription or membership if I could only find someone that uses those colored dots where your fingers go in their online video lessons. It makes things WAY EASIER for me to see what's going on. Brilliant!
@s_crylly7751 15 күн бұрын
This video is a godsend.
@fj.guitar 2 ай бұрын
Great explanation!
@aydend4805 2 ай бұрын
This was really helpful i appreciate it man!
@hkops 2 ай бұрын
such a good explanation
@ujjwaladhikari681 2 ай бұрын
Subscribed❤
@rizalomar4377 Ай бұрын
easy n well explain tutor
@avoidlabib 20 күн бұрын
Easily explained 👌
@jameyd4155 18 күн бұрын
Two tasty riffs … Layla @ 7:00 & Miss You @ 7:34! Nice! Thanks!
@juliaiphone1661 Ай бұрын
u r a phenomenal teacher plz make an online course
@ItsEwani 2 ай бұрын
Super helpful video as always! As a physicist a breakdown of the ‘why’ things are as they are is more helpful than you can imagine. One thing I don’t quite understand - if the pentatonic scale is an infinitely repeating set of 5 notes, then why does a subset of these become the minor pentatonic scale, as opposed to the major? Does it lie in the ordering and/or choice of notes in the set? If so, what defines one as major and one as minor? Thanks for the amazing videos!!
@mycologyhikingclub1885 2 күн бұрын
wish I had this kind of information when I was a kid
@maxime1776 2 ай бұрын
Watching your lesson while eating, thx 🎉
@Nitroxide 2 ай бұрын
Waiting for that next video 😏
@svgitana2499 2 ай бұрын
Great video, love the dots 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
@kevinnickens 2 ай бұрын
Thanks! Glad to hear you like the dots, I was excited to try them in a video
@svgitana2499 2 ай бұрын
@@kevinnickens it’s brilliant idea, I’m a visual guy so it’s nice to see the notes without having to backtrack ten times lol
@MadGeorgeProductions 2 ай бұрын
Brilliant as always, you're doing God's work sir! I can't believe you've stuck to your word and haven't tried to paywall some of this behind a website already. I heard once that the minor pentatonic scale shape can be used for major as well? Like the major of Am is C, so that Am pentatonic becomes the C major pentatonic. Is that true?
@Casey250 2 ай бұрын
I think I actually know the answer to this!
@kevinnickens 2 ай бұрын
Yes! Am and C are the same thing. I’ll go deeper into this in the follow up video, but the short answer is that Am and C major are the same notes, just in a different order
@batumanav Ай бұрын
I was blown away by the fact that you can just go to the next pentatonic minor note by just sliding 2 steps with same positions
@DavidKerner-en1ww 2 ай бұрын
Another great video. Its about time. How's Pops doing on the guitar?
@kevinnickens 2 ай бұрын
He’s doing well and continuing to progress! To be really honest, the videos with him don’t do super well, and bad videos hurt the channel more than folks realize. I’ve been thinking about some way to continue to make the series without hurting the channel too much. I’ll keep y’all updated
@kenogarcia7839 7 күн бұрын
great 😊
@TOOBUSY-yq9mm 2 ай бұрын
We love you bro
@adam7763 2 ай бұрын
Thanks chief
@kevinnickens 2 ай бұрын
Any time
@umpolpip4619 Ай бұрын
Very good lesson. It could be better if you explain why using Minor as beginning step (instead of Major - even though Major has more share). To my limited knowledge: 1- The Root note takes pointing finger and it's the beginning of the set. 2- The shape is simple that 1 hand position can cover all notes by fingers. (I can't remember any shapes minor or maj. After practice it's all gone.) 3- No need to get into Horizontal shifting. 4- The charactor of Minor sound, as you wisely defined - (humble?) is suitable for Soloing. BTW, Rolling Stone? Just 1 song - SATISFACTION!
@songqongqo 2 ай бұрын
You're good bro❤
@Duckers_McQuack Ай бұрын
"Starting to feel like a lecture" What do you think we're here for xD We're here for lectures of how to guitar :P
@barondavis5692 2 ай бұрын
Interesting, not nerdy. Thanks
@akmt123 6 күн бұрын
Have you made any videos for Major Pentatonic scale?
@ahmadaayan4175 17 күн бұрын
This video cleared a fog in my mind
@luca8238 2 ай бұрын
you can make a video about 7th chords? 🥺 by the way i love your videos :)
@kevinnickens 2 ай бұрын
Unlocking The Secret to Beautiful Chords kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rLNgdayr1p-YqZ8.html
@luca8238 2 ай бұрын
@@kevinnickens ah wow, thanks!!!
@tkjytuyi7t6i7ti 2 ай бұрын
could you do video expaining about positions because dont really get them why the minro pentatonic has so many positions if you can use this position all across the fretboard
@kevinnickens 2 ай бұрын
Yes!
@tkjytuyi7t6i7ti 2 ай бұрын
looking forwards to it!@@kevinnickens
@joshfueled 2 ай бұрын
that was a really useful video for a "wannabe" beginner, just like me! thank you for being with me on my learning path and you've got a really cool shirt as usual!
@engiuser 3 күн бұрын
it is still confusing to me. So you say, you take A minor pentatonic shape and move it to the different location, meaning that root note always have to be A?? So if I use root note not A, that means it is different pentatonic scale, but with the same shape? Correct statement? So how the shape of the scale is formed then?
@malthus101 Ай бұрын
What about the "relative minor" concept? When a teacher once showed me the pentanotic position 1, he said A minor was the relative minor of C major (I think) so you play the A minor pentantonic over C major songs. Am I wrong or did I misunderstand something? thx
@malthus101 Ай бұрын
I just tried it - it definietly works!
@kevinnickens Ай бұрын
Cool! Basically Am and Cmaj are the same notes in a different order
@malthus101 Ай бұрын
@@kevinnickens really? so much to learn.... thanks.
@strawheart6 Ай бұрын
What throws me off is that there is no f I know why it’s only 5 but why is it that one that’s removed and how
@keenang4705 20 күн бұрын
Why does the pentatonic scale omit B and F
@mathewbrewer5246 15 күн бұрын
How do you improvise solos when you are the only guitarist in the band
@FuriousWeasel-09 8 күн бұрын
You only covered one shape though, there's four more shapes to learn for the full scale.
@mrebysan 2 ай бұрын
Ummmm. Isnt it the minor pentatonic scale cause it has a flat 3? Not cause its within one octave?
@kevinnickens 2 ай бұрын
Good question, the minor 3rd is a principle that’s carried over from the diatonic scales. All scales only span one octave, I was just explaining that we just have to pick one of the octaves in order to actually play the scale
@FrankCosbyNo-Relation 2 ай бұрын
Someone stole my guitar 🎸 😔 I know this is a random place to talk about this but I'm so sad right and I don't have anyone else I can talk to
@kevinnickens 2 ай бұрын
Dang that sucks. So sorry to hear that
@Lil_Hana 26 күн бұрын
So i just dont get why for example a minor pentatonic scale has 5 positions and it still called a minor when the root note is not A
@prorigami2444 23 күн бұрын
The note you start the scale position on isn't called the root note. Am pentatonic has 5 notes A C D E G, there is a position for each note starting on the lowest string, however the root doesn't change as it is still Am and not Cm Dm etc..
@jadenyuki6558 21 күн бұрын
Not all songs use minor keys. I'm still confused
@neutonlodivico7663 9 күн бұрын
just go down if your root note is A when you play A major your root note must be G and your second note is A
@takeda8698 2 күн бұрын
all minor scales have something called a relative major and vice versa meaning in one pentatonic shape, there are already 2 keys a major and a minor they just share the same notes, in the context of Am for example. the first note of the scale is A so its an A minor when you start on the 2nd note which is a C and then play the exact shape you played the C major pentatonic, meaning Am has a relative major key which is C major. one thing to note that the root notes ofc shift and this concept can be applied in any Key
@mrebysan 2 ай бұрын
5:18 ACDEG anagram CAGED...whaaaaaaat?
@kevinnickens 2 ай бұрын
Haha I promise it’s a coincidence!
@Let-the-people-speak 2 ай бұрын
dude you okay? its been a week i need the major
@kevinnickens 2 ай бұрын
Yeah bro I’m all good. I’ve gotten super busy with non KZfaq stuff but I’m gonna try to get the video out by Monday. Thanks for sticking with me!
@Let-the-people-speak 2 ай бұрын
@@kevinnickens np brother, I'm very excited to see the next one on monday. I'm sixteen and trying to up my game more which I have but Everyone tells me that the pentatonic is the way to go and Ngl I found you today and subbed because you are funny and explain it well. Thank you dude!
@Let-the-people-speak 2 ай бұрын
@@kevinnickens hey I want you to know I am super eager to see your video on the major pentatonic and I hope your doing okay. and I hope you have a easy time filming it. thank you and God bless
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