stringery

C♯ minor pentatonic

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

Gritty and expressive. The sound of a guitar solo.

Root position1 of 5

571012

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

Built from

  1. C♯R1½
  2. E♭3W
  3. F♯4W
  4. G♯51½
  5. B♭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 neckC♯ minor pentatonic

12345GCEA5710125♭7R♭34R♭345♭7♭345♭7R♭3♭7R♭345
12345GCEA5710125♭7R♭34R♭345♭7♭345♭7R♭3♭7R♭345

Position 1 is outlined, frets 1 to 4. 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