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A scottish pentatonic scale on bass guitar
A scottish pentatonic uses A, B, D, E, and F♯. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 5 for a compact low-position run.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
How do you play the A scottish pentatonic scale on bass?
A scottish pentatonic in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 8 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to B on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the E string at fret 5 and the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 5 | F♯, A |
| 3 (A) | 2, 5 | B, D |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
A scottish pentatonic in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 8 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the D string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 10 | B, D |
| 3 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 1 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
Why it sounds like that
Build it from A major pentatonic by raising the third C♯ to D. The intervals become 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 with steps W, 1½, W, W, 1½. Compare with A major pentatonic to hear the suspended fourth. This scale omits the third and seventh, giving an open, modal color.
When to use it
Use it over A 5th and A suspended 2nd chords for a bright, open sound. It fits folk and rock grooves in A major or A mixolydian contexts. Try it over A 5th or A suspended 2nd.
Which position to practise
Start with Box 1. It keeps the root under your first finger on string 4, fret 5 and covers frets 2–5 for easy access to the low register.
Common questions
What notes are in A scottish pentatonic?
The notes are A, B, D, E, and F♯. The scale omits the third and seventh, creating an open sound. It is built from the major pentatonic with a raised third.
Which chords work with A scottish pentatonic?
A 5th and A suspended 2nd chords fit well. The scale's fourth and second degrees match sus2 voicings. Avoid chords with a major third unless you want tension.
How does A scottish pentatonic differ from A major pentatonic?
A scottish pentatonic raises the third C♯ to D. This replaces the major third with a perfect fourth. The resulting scale has a suspended, open quality.