Explore scales · Bass
E♭ neutral pentatonic scale on bass guitar
E♭ neutral pentatonic contains E♭, F, A♭, B♭, and D♭. Box 1 places the root on string 2, fret 1 for a low, open feel.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 4, 5, ♭7
How do you play the E♭ neutral pentatonic scale on bass?
E♭ 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 D string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 4 | F, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 4 | B♭, D♭ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
E♭ neutral pentatonic in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 8 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to E♭ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the A string at fret 6 and the G string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 9 | B♭, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8 | D♭, E♭ |
Why it sounds like that
E♭ neutral pentatonic is E♭ 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 E♭ minor pentatonic to hear the difference.
When to use it
E♭ neutral pentatonic fits E♭ 5th and E♭ suspended 2nd chords. Use it over A♭ 5th and A♭ 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 2, fret 1, giving a low, open feel with easy access to the root.
Common questions
What notes are in E♭ neutral pentatonic?
E♭ neutral pentatonic contains E♭, F, A♭, B♭, and D♭. The scale degrees are 1, 2, 4, 5, and ♭7. It has no tritone or leading tone. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does E♭ neutral pentatonic fit?
E♭ neutral pentatonic fits E♭ 5th and E♭ suspended 2nd chords. It also works over A♭ 5th and A♭ suspended 2nd. The major 2nd creates a suspended, open sound.
How is E♭ neutral pentatonic different from E♭ minor pentatonic?
E♭ neutral pentatonic raises the ♭3 of E♭ minor pentatonic to a major 2nd. The other notes stay the same. This removes the minor quality and adds brightness.