Pattern III, in the key of Am, covers frets 9-13. Pattern III has root notes on the 2nd string and the 5th string.
Pattern 3
Fingering
Pattern III is a weird one and involves some shifting. The simplest approach is to start in 10th postion, play the notes on the low-E, A, and D strings using 1-3. Then, when you get to G string, shift to 9th postion and play the two notes on that string (E and G) using 1-4. To hande the notes on the B and high-E strings, return to 9th position and play those using 1-4 and 1-3, respectively.
Practice Tips
As with most patterns in the Minor Pentatonic Scale, this one is very hammer-on and pull-off friendly.
Connections
Minor triads are three-note chords containing the Root, b3, and 5th of the Natural Minor Scale (the parent scale of the Minor Pentatonic Scale). In the key of A Minor, R = A, b3 = C, 5 = E. You can see those laid out very nicely in this pattern:
- A = Root = 5th string, 12th fret
- C = b3 = 4th string, 10th fret
- E = 5 = 3rd string, 9th fret
These notes can be played all at once as an Am chord, or you can play the in sequence (low to high, high to low, or both) as the Am arpeggio. When you're playing scales, keep an eye out for these chord tones. Knowing where to find them gives you opportunities to enrich your playing.
Last Update
This page was last updated on 07/05/2026.