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C scottish pentatonic scale on bass guitar
C scottish pentatonic uses C, D, F, G, and A. Box 1 starts on string 3, fret 3, keeping the root under your middle finger.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
How do you play the C scottish pentatonic scale on bass?
C scottish pentatonic in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 8 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the E string at fret 8 and the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 8 | A, C |
| 3 (A) | 5, 8 | D, F |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 1 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
C scottish pentatonic in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the D string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 13 | D, F |
| 3 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
Why it sounds like that
Derived from C major pentatonic by raising the third E to F. The intervals are 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 with steps W, 1½, W, W, 1½. Compare with C major pentatonic to hear the suspended fourth. This scale lacks the third and seventh, giving a neutral, airy quality.
When to use it
Use it over C 5th and C suspended 2nd chords for a bright, open sound. It fits folk and rock grooves in C major or C mixolydian contexts. Try it over C 5th or C suspended 2nd.
Which position to practise
Start with Box 1. It keeps the root under your first finger on string 3, fret 3 and covers frets 5–8 for easy access to the low register.
Common questions
What notes are in C scottish pentatonic?
The notes are C, D, F, G, and A. 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 C scottish pentatonic?
C 5th and C 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 C scottish pentatonic differ from C major pentatonic?
C scottish pentatonic raises the third E to F. This replaces the major third with a perfect fourth. The resulting scale has a suspended, open quality.