Lets look at the fingerings of the pentatonic scales. These can be divided into five positions, called boxes. We will begin by studying the fingerings of the minor scale, because it is used more, then the major scale. You will notice that within a scale, the major-minor relativity is always valid, and in fact the scales that we will learn are the pentatonic A minor and the pentatonic C major. For any explanations, you can always consult the section dedicated to the construction of the pentatonic scales. For those who need further explanations regarding the graphics and reading of the scales can refer to the section devoted to the scales. Remember that the numbers indicate the fingers of the left hand and the Roman numerals the position.

Pentatonic Scale of A Minor

We will use box 1 as an example to understand how to play the scale. It is obligatory to memorize the fingering. The colored numbers identify the roots, that will be useful to verify the position of the fingerings when they are transposed in other keys

As you can see from the graph of the scale, the second position is used. You therefore need to position the left hand on the second fret so that the index finger (1) plays the second fret, the middle finger (2) the third fret, the ring finger (3) the fourth fret and finally the little finger (4) the fifth fret.
The performing of the scale is done by starting from the lowest root. In box 1 this means the fourth finger is on the sixth string. With the scale being A, we therefore play the A note at the fifth fret on the sixth string with the little finger. The next note is the fifth string with the second finger, then we will play the note pressed by the fourth finger, always on the fifth string. You climb from the lowest root the highest note of the fingering (the fourth finger on the first string, which in this case is also the highest root), then descend to the lowest note, which is the second finger on the sixth string, finally returning to the low root. The mechanism is not difficult, but to be precise, I want to add the tablature of the execution (seen below).

Don't forget to use alternate picking and to perform the scales slowly: soon we will work on the speed. The other fingerings must be played using the same system. Remember that the lowest root is not necessarily on the sixth string, therefore always make reference to the string where the lowest root is situated.
In the two following boxes, the lowest root is on the sixth string (box 2) and on the fourth (box 3).

Be careful in box 4. The third finger on the first string is in parenthesis: in fact, if you notice the position (the 10th), the finger is found behind the ninth fret, while the ring finger plays in position (the 12th fret). In this case extend only the index finger but without moving the hand, so that it normally plays in the 10th position. Closely follow the indicated fingering.

Pentatonic Scale of C Major.

By now the procedure should be clear and we can therefore work on the fingerings of the Major Pentatonic Scale. As an example I have taken the relative major scale of the previous minor, therefore the C major scale. The notes to play are the same, even if the roots change, and therefore have different starting and finishing points. The tablature in box 1 will help you, but only in the first fingering.

Transposing into the other scales

I want to remind you how simple it is to transpose the fingerings of a scale on the fretboard in order to play in a different scale. In fact, the underlying presence in the fingerings of the root also serves as a constant reference for the tonal transposition. For example, if you practice in the pentatonic of E minor, just combine the various boxes by fitting the numbers in blue (the roots) with the frets and the strings where you find the E notes. You can verify the procedure by analyzing the boxes of the pentatonic minor of E which is found below. For those who do not perfectly know the notes on the fretboard can consult the fretboard guide, where all the notes of the instrument are visualized.
I would recommend that you play the pentatonic scale in all the scales, even using the exercises that are found in the following pages.

Pentatonic Scale of E Minor.