ScalesB Minor Pentatonic
Guitar scale · fretboard map
B Minor Pentatonic Scale
The B Minor Pentatonic scale is built from the notes B, D, E, F#, and A. The diagram below maps every one of those notes across the guitar neck, from the open strings up to the 12th fret, with the root B highlighted.
The minor pentatonic scale is the most-used scale in blues and rock lead guitar: five notes that are very hard to play wrong.
Notes in the B Minor Pentatonic scale
B1
Db3
E4
F#5
Ab7
B Minor Pentatonic scale on the fretboard
root (B) other scale notes
Explore this on the interactive fretboard →
The free Fretboard Explorer lets you switch keys and see the CAGED shapes and scale overlays tile the whole neck.
Other scales in B
B MajorB Natural MinorB Major PentatonicB BluesB DorianB PhrygianB LydianB MixolydianB Harmonic Minor
The minor pentatonic scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the B Minor Pentatonic scale?
- The B Minor Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes: B, D, E, F#, and A. As scale degrees those are 1, b3, 4, 5, b7.
- How do you play the B Minor Pentatonic scale on guitar?
- Every note above is shown on the fretboard diagram, from the open strings up to the 12th fret, with the root (B) highlighted. The pattern is movable: learn the shape once and you can slide it to start on any root. Anchor your playing to the B notes so the scale sounds resolved.
- What is the B Minor Pentatonic scale used for?
- The minor pentatonic scale is the most-used scale in blues and rock lead guitar: five notes that are very hard to play wrong. Once the shape is under your fingers, try improvising over a backing track in B and listen for how each note pulls back toward the root.