B minor pentatonic scale on guitar
The B minor pentatonic scale has 5 notes: B, D, E, F♯ and A. 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 B 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.
B minor pentatonic across the neck
Every B minor pentatonic note on the first 12 frets in standard tuning. Filled dots are the root, B. A good place to start: B on the low E string is at fret 7, so play the notes between frets 6 and 10 first, then move up the neck.
Intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval from B |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | Root |
| ♭3 | D | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | E | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | F♯ | Perfect 5th |
| ♭7 | A | Minor 7th |
Chords to play B minor pentatonic over
The B minor pentatonic scale fits the main chords of the B minor key:
It is also the classic choice over a twelve-bar blues in B: B7, E7, F♯7.
Related scales
- It uses exactly the same five notes as D major pentatonic, so one shape covers both.
- Add the ♭5 for B blues, or fill in the 2nd and ♭6th for B minor.
Questions
What notes are in the B minor pentatonic scale?
B, D, E, F♯, A. Its formula is 1 ♭3 4 5 ♭7.
Where do I start the B minor pentatonic scale on guitar?
B on the low E string is at fret 7, so play the notes between frets 6 and 10 first. The fretboard map on this page shows every B minor pentatonic note on the first 12 frets.
What scales are related to B minor pentatonic?
It uses exactly the same five notes as D major pentatonic, so one shape covers both.
More scales
Minor pentatonic in every key
Other scales from B