D minor pentatonic scale on guitar
The D minor pentatonic scale has 5 notes: D, F, G, A and C. 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 D 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.
D minor pentatonic across the neck
Every D minor pentatonic note on the first 12 frets in standard tuning. Filled dots are the root, D. A good place to start: D on the A 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 D |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | Root |
| ♭3 | F | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | G | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | A | Perfect 5th |
| ♭7 | C | Minor 7th |
Chords to play D minor pentatonic over
The D minor pentatonic scale fits the main chords of the D minor key:
It is also the classic choice over a twelve-bar blues in D: D7, G7, A7.
Related scales
- It uses exactly the same five notes as F major pentatonic, so one shape covers both.
- Add the ♭5 for D blues, or fill in the 2nd and ♭6th for D minor.
Questions
What notes are in the D minor pentatonic scale?
D, F, G, A, C. Its formula is 1 ♭3 4 5 ♭7.
Where do I start the D minor pentatonic scale on guitar?
D on the A string is at fret 5, so play the notes between frets 4 and 8 first. The fretboard map on this page shows every D minor pentatonic note on the first 12 frets.
What scales are related to D minor pentatonic?
It uses exactly the same five notes as F major pentatonic, so one shape covers both.
More scales
Minor pentatonic in every key
Other scales from D