Playing melodic patterns in a scale allows you to create “phrases” with the notes and improvise easier with riffs or solos. These patterns run through the minor pentatonic scale in a set order. After the first group of notes in the pattern is played, the next group starts on the 2nd note of the previous group as shown below.
“Phrasing” refers to using notes of a scale in an order other than simply moving up or down the scale note by note. This allows melodies and riffs to have a unique or distinctive expression, similar to talking or singing.
This first melodic pattern moves by 3 notes at a time in order of the minor pentatonic scale. This pattern gives you an idea of how to come up with different patterns on your own.
Root Note on A
e|------------------------------|
B|------------------------------|
G|------------------------------|
D|--------------------5----5-7--|
A|----3-5--3-5-7--5-7----7------|
E|--5---------------------------|
Note Pattern:
1-2-3 2-3-4 3-4-5 4-5-6
Root Note on A
e|------------------------------|
B|------------------------------|
G|------------------------------|
D|--7-5----5--------------------|
A|------7----7-5--7-5-3--5-3----|
E|---------------------------5--|
Note Pattern:
6-5-4 5-4-3 4-3-2 3-2-1
Now try using a fourth note in a pattern:
Root Note on G
e|-----------------------------|
B|-----------------------------|
G|-----------------------------|
D|-----------------3------3-5--|
A|----1-3-5--1-3-5----3-5------|
E|--3--------------------------|
Note Pattern:
1-2-3-4 2-3-4-5 3-4-5-6
Root Note on G
e|-----------------------------|
B|-----------------------------|
G|-----------------------------|
D|--5-3------3-----------------|
A|------5-3----5-3-1--5-3-1----|
E|--------------------------3--|
Note Pattern:
6-5-4-3 5-4-3-2 4-3-2-1
Practice each pattern until you can play them at a fast pace. The muscle memory that will develop will help improvising in a solo or when coming up with riffs. The patterns are just a method to develop different note combinations and phrases.
This next pattern uses 4 notes, but repeats a note at the end of the pattern.
Root Note on F
e|------------------------------------|
B|------------------------------------|
G|------------------------------------|
D|-----------------------1------1-3-1-|
A|-----1------1-3-1--1-3---3--3-------|
E|-1-4---4--4-------------------------|
Note Pattern:
1-2-3-2 2-3-4-3 3-4-5-4 4-5-6-5
This pattern skips notes, and in some parts it skips a string. Try holding down 2 or more notes at once to make it easier moving through this pattern.
Root Note on A
e|--------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------|
G|-------------------------------5------|
D|-------------5--------7---5------5-7--|
A|----7---5------5-7--5---7----7--------|
E|--5---8----8--------------------------|
Note Pattern
1-4-2-3 2-5-3-4 3-6-4-5 4-7-5-6
B♭ 
C
Dm7 
Em7♭5 FMaj7 Gm7 Am7 
B♭Maj7 
C7
C♯m7♭5 
DMaj7 
Em7 
F♯m7 
GMaj7 
A7
B 
C♯ D♯m E♯dim
How to Play Guitar Chords | GuitaristSource.com
June 23, 2025 by maximios • Guitara
6th Chords
6th chords are formed using a major or minor triad and adds the 6th note of the root note’s scale. 6th chords are used in jazz and pop music.
7th Chords
7th guitar chords are frequently in jazz and blues. These guitar chords use the flat 7th or 7th note from the major scale.
9th Chords
9th chords are formed from a minor or major triad adding the 9th note of the scale.
Major & Minor Guitar Chord Keys
A chord key is a group or family of chords that sound good together and are based on a major or minor scale. Chords within the same key are played together in different chord progressions in songs.