ScalesF# Minor Pentatonic
Guitar scale · fretboard map
F# Minor Pentatonic Scale
The F# Minor Pentatonic scale is built from the notes F#, A, B, C#, and E. 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 F# 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 F# Minor Pentatonic scale
F#1
Ab3
B4
C#5
Eb7
F# Minor Pentatonic scale on the fretboard
root (F#) 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 F#
F# MajorF# Natural MinorF# Major PentatonicF# BluesF# DorianF# PhrygianF# LydianF# MixolydianF# Harmonic Minor
The minor pentatonic scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the F# Minor Pentatonic scale?
- The F# Minor Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes: F#, A, B, C#, and E. As scale degrees those are 1, b3, 4, 5, b7.
- How do you play the F# 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 (F#) highlighted. The pattern is movable: learn the shape once and you can slide it to start on any root. Anchor your playing to the F# notes so the scale sounds resolved.
- What is the F# 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 F# and listen for how each note pulls back toward the root.