When the intermediate player is ready to learn the art of improvisation, the minor pentatonic scale is usually among the first things to learn. If you are unfamiliar with this scale it is suggested that you memorize and practice it before going too much further. The form seen below is the most common and is in this case the A minor pentatonic scale.

In terms of their interval makeup, all scales are referenced to the major scale. The minor pentatonic scale is comprised of: Root -Flatted Third - Fourth - Fifth - Flatted Seventh. This is five (penta) tones.

It is the non-inclusive tones that give this scale it's forgiving characteristics. If you know the modes of the major scale you know that all seven modes are inherently different with no two alike. But when the minor pentatonic scale is super-imposed over the 3 minor modes (Dorian, Phrygian and Aeolian) the different tones are omitted, thus the same fingering can be applied for each one. Below are these super-impositions for the D Dorian and D minor pentatonic, E Phrygian and E minor pentatonic, and A Aeolian and A minor pentatonic from the key of C major. The intervals in this case (A minor pentatonic) produce the notes A - C - D - E - G.

To say that the scale is forgiving is not to say that it is that easy! Much practice is required to attain physical command of the position. After that an effort must be made to produce musical results. In the beginning it makes more sense to imitate some blues-based licks to get a feel for things. Afterwards you may incorporate an endless set of tools and techniques (call and response, tension and resolution, etc.) to create your phrases. Below is the A minor pentatonic scale in each of it's five natural "shapes".