Minor pentatonic scale: notes, formula and sound
The minor pentatonic scale has 5 notes: 1, ♭3, 4, 5 and ♭7. Hear the sound of rock and blues solos, see it in all 12 keys and spot the wrong note.
The minor pentatonic scale has 5 notes: degrees 1, ♭3, 4, 5 and ♭7 of the minor scale. A minor pentatonic is A C D E G. It is the first scale most guitarists learn: the backbone of rock and blues solos.
Listen: A minor pentatonic scale
A C D E G A
What is the formula of the minor pentatonic scale?
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Notes | 5 |
| Semitones from the tonic | 0, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12 |
| Step pattern | W+H-W-W-W+H-W |
What does the minor pentatonic scale sound like?
Earthy and bluesy, a little gritty. Add one note (the flat 5) and it becomes the blues scale.
How to recognise it by ear
- It shares its five notes with the major pentatonic a minor third higher: A minor pentatonic = C major pentatonic.
- Its big gaps (minor thirds between 1-♭3 and 5-♭7) give it the open, vocal feel of blues licks.
- Steps in semitones: 3-2-2-3-2.
Spot the wrong note
Each scale below is a minor pentatonic scale with one note moved a half step. Find it by ear.
Score: / 3 (your score updates as you answer)
The minor pentatonic scale in all 12 keys
| Scale | Notes | Hear it |
|---|---|---|
| A minor pentatonic | A C D E G | |
| E minor pentatonic | E G A B D | |
| B minor pentatonic | B D E F♯ A | |
| F♯ minor pentatonic | F♯ A B C♯ E | |
| C♯ minor pentatonic | C♯ E F♯ G♯ B | |
| G♯ minor pentatonic | G♯ B C♯ D♯ F♯ | |
| D minor pentatonic | D F G A C | |
| G minor pentatonic | G B♭ C D F | |
| C minor pentatonic | C E♭ F G B♭ | |
| F minor pentatonic | F A♭ B♭ C E♭ | |
| B♭ minor pentatonic | B♭ D♭ E♭ F A♭ | |
| E♭ minor pentatonic | E♭ G♭ A♭ B♭ D♭ |
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the minor pentatonic scale?
Degrees 1, flat 3, 4, 5, flat 7. A: A C D E G. E: E G A B D. C: C E flat F G B flat.
What is the difference between minor pentatonic and the blues scale?
The blues scale adds one note, the flat 5 (the "blue note"): A C D E flat E G.
Why do guitarists use the minor pentatonic so much?
It fits over minor and many blues and rock progressions without clashing, and its box shape is easy to play on the fretboard.
Which major pentatonic has the same notes as A minor pentatonic?
C major pentatonic (C D E G A): the relative major, a minor third up.