Explore scales · Bass
F minor pentatonic scale on bass guitar
F minor pentatonic uses F, A♭, B♭, C, and E♭. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 1 for a low, open start.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7
How do you play the F minor pentatonic scale on bass?
F minor 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 E string at fret 1 and the D 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
F minor 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 A string at fret 8 and the G string at fret 10.
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
F minor pentatonic drops the 2nd and 6th from F natural minor, leaving 1, ♭3, 4, 5, and ♭7. Add the ♭5 to create F blues minor. The scale spans 1½, whole, whole, 1½, and whole steps.
When to use it
F minor pentatonic fits F minor and F 5th chords. Use it for rock and funk bass lines in F minor keys. It also works over A♭ major progressions.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first: the root sits on string 4, fret 1, covering frets 1–4. This position sets up Box 2 on the same root.
Common questions
What notes are in F minor pentatonic?
F minor pentatonic contains F, A♭, B♭, C, and E♭. 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 F minor pentatonic fit?
F minor pentatonic fits F minor and F 5th chords. It also works over A♭ major and A♭ 5th chords. The scale's notes are all chord tones or common extensions.
How do I practice F minor pentatonic on bass?
Start with Box 1 on string 4, fret 1. Play the notes ascending and descending with a metronome. Then connect to Box 2 by sliding from E♭ to F.