Explore scales · Bass
D minor pentatonic scale on bass guitar
D minor pentatonic uses D, F, G, A, and C. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 5 for a mid-neck anchor.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7
How do you play the D minor pentatonic scale on bass?
D minor 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 A string at fret 5 and the G string at fret 7.
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
D minor 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 E string at fret 10 and the D string at fret 12.
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
D minor pentatonic derives from D natural minor by removing the 2nd and 6th degrees. The result is 1, ♭3, 4, 5, and ♭7. Add the ♭5 to form D blues minor.
When to use it
D minor pentatonic fits D minor and D 5th chords. Use it for rock and blues bass lines in D minor keys. It also works over F major progressions.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first: the root sits on string 3, fret 5, covering frets 5–8. This position sets up Box 2 on the same root.
Common questions
What notes are in D minor pentatonic?
D minor pentatonic contains D, F, G, A, and C. These are the 1, ♭3, 4, 5, and ♭7 degrees. The scale omits the 2nd and 6th from the natural minor scale.
Which chords does D minor pentatonic fit?
D minor pentatonic fits D minor and D 5th chords. It also works over F major and F 5th chords. The scale's notes are all chord tones or common extensions.
How do I practice D minor pentatonic on bass?
Start with Box 1 on string 3, fret 5. Play the notes ascending and descending with a metronome. Then connect to Box 2 by sliding from C to D.