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How can we use pentatonic scales creatively?
For instance, in the key of G, we might run into a Cmaj7(♯11) chord.
Sure, we can play G major pentatonic or C major pentatonic over that chord. But what other possibilities would we have?
By superimposing another pentatonic structure over the given chord structure, we can find many more interesting possibilities.
If we construct a chord scale for the Cmaj7(♯11), in keeping with the notes in the key of G, we will have a chord whose root is C, and on which is added: C, D, E, F♯, G, A and B. The result is 1, 9, 3, ♯11, 5, 13 and 7. So we will keep an eye out for pentatonic scales that outline those notes.
In the table below, we’ll highlight the pentatonic scales that fit most easily with the chord scale.
For the remaining possibilities, we may choose not to use them in this case. But they remain very valuable in other situations. For instance, the E♭ Major pentatonic would be very useful for a C7(♯9) chord because its notes all fit the chords structure.
The Substitution Chart
| Major Pentatonic Scale | Notes | Function on “C” chord |
| C Major Pentatonic | C D E G A | 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 |
| D♭ Major Pentatonic | D♭ E♭ F A♭ B♭ | ♭9, ♯9, 4, ♯5, ♭7 |
| D Major Pentatonic | D E F♯ A B | 9, 3, ♯11, 13, 7 |
| E♭ Major Pentatonic | E♭ F G B♭ C | ♯9, 4, 5, ♭7, 1 |
| E Major Pentatonic | E F♯ G♯ B C♯ | 3, ♯11, ♯5, 7, ♯9 |
| F Major Pentatonic | F G A C D | 4, 5, 13, 1, 9 |
| F♯ Major Pentatonic | F♯ G♯ A♯ C♯ D♯ | ♯11, ♯5, ♭7, ♭9, ♯9 |
| G Major Pentatonic | G A B D E | 5, 13, 7, 9, 3 |
| A♭ Major Pentatonic | A♭ B♭ C E♭ F | ♯5, ♭7, 1, ♯9, 4 |
| A Major Pentatonic | A B C♯ E F♯ | 13, 7, ♭9, 3, ♯11 |
| B♭ Major Pentatonic | B♭ C D F A | ♭7, 1, 9, 11, 13 |
| B Major Pentatonic | B C♯ D♯ F♯ G♯ | 7, ♭9, ♯9, ♯11, ♯5 |
Key Tasks
- Try playing the highlighted scales, above, over the Cmaj7♯11 chord.
As the creator of Hub Guitar, Grey has compiled hundreds of guitar lessons, written several books, and filmed hundreds of video lessons. He teaches private lessons in his Boston studio, as well as via video chat through TakeLessons.