Explore scales · Bass
B♭ neutral pentatonic scale on bass guitar
B♭ neutral pentatonic contains B♭, C, E♭, F, and A♭. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 1 for a compact shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 4, 5, ♭7
How do you play the B♭ neutral pentatonic scale on bass?
B♭ neutral pentatonic in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 8 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 1 and the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 4 | F, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
B♭ neutral pentatonic in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 8 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the D string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 11 | C, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 11 | F, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ neutral pentatonic is B♭ minor pentatonic with the ♭3 raised to a major 2nd. The scale keeps the perfect 4th, perfect 5th, and minor 7th, but the major 2nd replaces the minor 3rd. Compare it with B♭ minor pentatonic to hear the difference.
When to use it
B♭ neutral pentatonic fits B♭ 5th and B♭ suspended 2nd chords. Use it over E♭ 5th and E♭ suspended 2nd for a suspended sound. The major 2nd adds openness to rock and folk lines.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 3, fret 1, giving a compact shape that avoids open strings.
Common questions
What notes are in B♭ neutral pentatonic?
B♭ neutral pentatonic contains B♭, C, E♭, F, and A♭. The scale degrees are 1, 2, 4, 5, and ♭7. It has no tritone or leading tone. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does B♭ neutral pentatonic fit?
B♭ neutral pentatonic fits B♭ 5th and B♭ suspended 2nd chords. It also works over E♭ 5th and E♭ suspended 2nd. The major 2nd creates a suspended, open sound.
How is B♭ neutral pentatonic different from B♭ minor pentatonic?
B♭ neutral pentatonic raises the ♭3 of B♭ minor pentatonic to a major 2nd. The other notes stay the same. This removes the minor quality and adds brightness.