Pentatonic Use ?

[rydin4lifebass]

I read different things about pentatonic fills or solos, etc. When do we use a major pentatonic versus a minor pentatonic? Is one "safer" than the other or one used in a style of music more so than another?

 

[LayDownABoogie]

A major pentatonic and its relative minor are the exact same scale eg: C major pentatonic is the same notes as A minor pentatonic but starting on C.
When to use them depends on what key your in but there are also a lot of substitution options.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Safe way, until you learn more - major pentatonic over major chords and minor pentatonic over minor chords.

Chords are C - Am - F - G.
C major pentatonic over the C chord.
A minor pentatonic over the Am chord.
F major pentatonic over the F chord.
G major pentatonic over the G chord.

Is there more? Sure, but that will get you started.

 

[Fledge]

Major pentatonic

Minor pentatonic

The StudyBass descriptions are relatively thorough and the exercises connected with the lessons give you a good feel for using the scale.