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Melodic Solos: Combining Natural Minor and Pentatonic Minor
Moving beyond basic blues licks can feel like a huge jump. Many guitarists get stuck playing the same pentatonic patterns, wondering how those pro players create such melodic, flowing solos. The secret? Combining the pentatonic minor scale with the natural minor scale.
Every guitarist starts with the minor pentatonic. It's safe, it sounds good over almost anything, and it's relatively easy to learn. But relying on just these five notes can eventually make your playing sound predictable. Adding the natural minor's seven notes opens up new possibilities without throwing away what you already know.
Why This Combination Works
The pentatonic minor scale is actually contained within the natural minor scale. Think of pentatonic as your safe zone – notes that almost always sound good. The natural minor scale adds two more notes (the 2nd and 6th) that create color and emotion when used at the right moment.
Guitar players like David Gilmour and Larry Carlton have mastered this blend. They'll establish familiar territory with pentatonic phrases, then weave in natural minor notes to create those moments that catch your ear. Check out some examples below…
Getting Started: Two Extra Notes
Let's say you're comfortable with the A minor pentatonic scale at the 5th fret. To expand into the natural minor, you only need to add two notes:
  • The 2nd (B) - found on the 5th string/7th fret and 2nd string/8th fret
  • The 6th (F) - found on the 6th string/8th fret and 3rd string/7th fret
Try adding just these two notes to your existing pentatonic licks. The 2nd creates a sense of movement, while the 6th adds a wistful, emotional quality.
Creating Melodic Lines
The key to sounding melodic rather than just "running scales" is phrasing. Try these approaches:
1
Start with something familiar… a pentatonic lick you know well. Then replace one note with either the 2nd or 6th from the natural minor.
This small change will immediately give your playing a more sophisticated sound.
2
Use the natural minor scale for ascending runs, and the pentatonic for descending.
This creates a full sound going up but keeps that bluesy feel coming down.
3
Target chord tones from the natural minor scale when the chords change.
For example, over an Am chord, aim for A, C, or E notes at the end of your phrases.
Creating Contrast
Great solos have contrast. The additional notes of the natural minor scale give you this ability:
Play a phrase using just pentatonic notes. Follow it with a similar phrase that includes natural minor notes. This call-and-response approach creates internal conversation in your solos.
Save the natural minor's extra notes for emotional high points in your solo - they'll have more impact when used sparingly.
The Sound in Action
Think of players like Slash in the intro solo to "Sweet Child O' Mine" - he uses the F# note (the 6th in A natural minor) to create that distinctive melodic hook. Without that note from the natural minor scale, the melody wouldn't have its signature sound.
Remember: you don't need to play all the notes just because they're there. The natural minor isn't about playing more notes… it's about having the right notes available when your musical instinct calls for them.
With some practice, you'll develop an ear for when to use these additional notes, and your solos will take on that flowing, melodic quality that stands out from standard pentatonic playing.
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