MINOR PENTATONIC CLASSICS…

One easy shape is at the heart of five great riffs

E minor pentatonic scale

This diagram shows you where to place your second and third fingers to play the E minor pentatonic scale. The idea is to play one note after the other – not all at once. You can hear this exact scale in these riffs:

1 AC/DC – Backinblack

Listen for a run down through the scale at 0:10.

2 Link Wray – Rumble

The scale kicks in at 0:28, after the main chords.

3 The Black Keys – Howlin’foryou

Short phrases here, but still minor pentatonic.

4 Johnny Kidd And The Pirates – Shakin’allover A great example of a run down through our scale.

5 Stevie Ray Vaughan – Scuttlebuttin’

So fast you might not realise it, but SRV’S fiery lick is pure minor pentatonic.