A minor pentatonic scale on guitar
The A minor pentatonic scale has 5 notes: A, C, D, E and G. The most-used soloing scale in rock and blues. Five notes, no half steps between them, and a shape that sits under the fingers: it is usually the first scale guitarists learn.
Notes in A minor pentatonic
- Formula
- 1 ♭3 4 5 ♭7
- Step pattern
- W+H – W – W – W+H – W
- Notes
- 5
Tap a note to hear it.
A minor pentatonic across the neck
Every A minor pentatonic note on the first 12 frets in standard tuning. Filled dots are the root, A. A good place to start: A on the low E string is at fret 5, so play the notes between frets 4 and 8 first, then move up the neck.
Intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval from A |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Root |
| ♭3 | C | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | D | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | E | Perfect 5th |
| ♭7 | G | Minor 7th |
Chords to play A minor pentatonic over
The A minor pentatonic scale fits the main chords of the A minor key:
It is also the classic choice over a twelve-bar blues in A: A7, D7, E7.
Related scales
- It uses exactly the same five notes as C major pentatonic, so one shape covers both.
- Add the ♭5 for A blues, or fill in the 2nd and ♭6th for A minor.
Questions
What notes are in the A minor pentatonic scale?
A, C, D, E, G. Its formula is 1 ♭3 4 5 ♭7.
Where do I start the A minor pentatonic scale on guitar?
A on the low E string is at fret 5, so play the notes between frets 4 and 8 first. The fretboard map on this page shows every A minor pentatonic note on the first 12 frets.
What scales are related to A minor pentatonic?
It uses exactly the same five notes as C major pentatonic, so one shape covers both.
More scales
Minor pentatonic in every key
Other scales from A