---
title: Pentatonic System
category: Guitar in P4
slug: pentatonic-system
related: [scales, fretboard-geometry, fourths-tuning-overview, chord-melody-basics]
url: https://fourthshub.com/docs/pentatonic-system
---

# Pentatonic System

The pentatonic scale is the single most important melodic structure for guitar. In fourths tuning, the pentatonic system reaches its full potential: one shape, all keys, total fretboard coverage.

## Minor Pentatonic

**Formula**: 1-b3-4-5-b7

Five notes of the natural minor scale with the 2nd and b6 removed. The result is a scale with no half steps, making every note sound good over minor chords. This is the first scale most guitarists learn, and professionals use it their entire careers.

In P4, the minor pentatonic has one two-string shape that repeats identically across all string pairs. In standard tuning, you need five different "box" patterns; in P4, you need one.

## Major Pentatonic

**Formula**: 1-2-3-5-6

The bright counterpart to minor pentatonic. Five notes of the major scale with the 4th and 7th removed, eliminating the two notes that create the most tension. Works beautifully over major chords.

The major pentatonic shape is the minor pentatonic shape shifted — they are relative, just like major and minor scales. C major pentatonic (C-D-E-G-A) contains the same notes as A minor pentatonic (A-C-D-E-G).

## Superimposition

Pentatonic superimposition is playing a pentatonic scale that is *not* the obvious choice over a chord, creating specific colorful tensions:

- **Dm7**: Use F major pentatonic (gives you b3, 4, 5, b7, 1 = all chord tones plus 11)
- **G7**: Use Db major pentatonic (gives you b5, b13, b7, b9, #9 = altered tensions)
- **Cmaj7**: Use D major pentatonic (gives you 9, 3, #11, 6, 7 = Lydian color)
- **Cm7**: Use Eb major pentatonic (gives you b3, 4, 5, b7, 1 = Dorian sound)

Because pentatonic scales are physically easy to play (no half steps means comfortable fingering), superimposition lets you play "advanced" sounds using simple, familiar shapes.

## Diagonal Tiling in P4

The pentatonic box at any position connects diagonally to the same shape 5 frets higher on the next two strings. By linking these tiles, you cover the entire fretboard with one pattern. Practice moving diagonally: play the box on strings 6-5, slide up 5 frets and play on strings 4-3, slide up 5 more and play on strings 2-1. You have just played three octaves of pentatonic with one shape.

## Beyond Basic Pentatonics

Add one note to a pentatonic and you get a hexatonic scale. The blues scale adds the b5 to minor pentatonic. Adding the 4th to major pentatonic gives you a country/Mixolydian feel. These six-note scales maintain much of the pentatonic's ease while adding melodic interest.