stringery

A minor pentatonic

The first scale most players learn: rock and blues solos. Minor family

Gritty and expressive. The sound of a guitar solo.

Root position5 of 5

571012

Square: the root. In colour: the minor 3rd, the note that gives this scale its sound.

Built from

  1. AR1½
  2. C♭3W
  3. D4W
  4. E51½
  5. G♭7W

Five notes with no half steps, so you can bend and slide anywhere and it still sounds right.

Between the notes: W is a whole step (2 frets), H a half step (1 fret), and 1½ a step and a half (3 frets).

On the whole neckA minor pentatonic

12345GCEA571012♭7R♭345♭7♭345♭7R♭35♭7R♭345R♭345♭7R
12345GCEA571012♭7R♭345♭7♭345♭7R♭35♭7R♭345R♭345♭7R

Position 5 is outlined, frets 9 to 12. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • C major pentatonic

    Same five notes, centred on the relative major.

  • A blues

    Add one note, the flat 5th, and it becomes the blues scale.