how to determine which pentatonic scale to use when beginning a melody?

Yumid

New member
So up until recently I've been forming my melodies with any variation of the 7 notes in my diatonic scale. But I'm watching lots of videos where they are using a pentatonic scale to form the melodies. I dont need a description of a pentatonic scale or anything, I just want to know how you determine where to start your pentatonic scale based on which key youre in?

This question might not make sense yet, I just starting wondering about it so I might be asking the question wrong. But anyway. When making a melody how do you determine which pentatonic scale you are going to use based on

a.)the chord progression you have made
OR
b.)just starting a blank project and only knowing your key signature
 
If you're working in major-use the major pentatonic.

If you're working in minor-use the minor pentatonic.

Where you start the scale is up to you and your ears from there on.
If I am jamming on a major blues or any diatonic progression-I use the major pentatonic of the key I am in.
Same for minor.
 
there are two forms of the major pentatonic commonly used

1-2-3-5-6-8 (C-D-E-G-A-C)

and

1-2-4-5-b7-8 (D-E-G-A-C-D) (also known as the 2nd mode of the major pentatonic ~ 2-3-5-6-1-2)

the former favours chords I, vi and V (C, Am and G)

the latter favours chords i, bVII and v (Dm, C and Am)

The minor pentatonic is commonly

1-b3-4-5-b7-8 (A-C-D-E-G-A)

which turns out to be the 5th mode of the major pentatonic ~ 6-1-2-3-5-6
 
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