Minor Pentatonic Scales

[gplayer33]

I am studying music theory to become a better guitar player. I am currently a beginner who is studying the scales. I have hit a snag with some of the minor pentatonic scales. I am doing this on my own, no instructor and the internet of course is a bad place to find answers. Anyways I understand the minor pentatonic scale to be Root, b3, 4, 5, b7. When I got to the E minor pentatonic scale it doesn't seem to follow this format. It is R 3 4 5 7. How come its not E Gb A B Db E, instead of E G A B D E. Shouldn't the 3rd note be a flat along with the 5th?

I am sure the answer is easy but can some one shed some light onto this for me so I can please move on.

Thanks

[CSchlegel]

I am studying music theory to become a better guitar player.
Good for you! :)

Anyways I understand the minor pentatonic scale to be Root, b3, 4, 5, b7.
That is true. But it is sometimes better to think of the 3rd, and 7th to be minor instead of flatted. This is because the scale intervals could land on a flat or a natural note depending upon the scale you are studying. And that could potentially case confusion.

And you have it right. E minor pentatonic:

E - 1st
G - minor 3rd
A - 4th
B - 5th
D - minor 7th

The note G-flat is only a distance of 2 frets from E, this makes is a 2nd, not a minor third. I think you are confusing the idea of a flat with a minor interval.

Look here at my tutorials that cover the pentatonic scale in theory and practice:

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=296
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=722
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=185

Best of success!

[gplayer33]

Thank you so much, this helps alot.