Explore scales · Bass
F neutral pentatonic scale on bass guitar
F neutral pentatonic contains F, G, B♭, C, and E♭. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 1 for a low, open feel.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 4, 5, ♭7
How do you play the F neutral pentatonic scale on bass?
F neutral pentatonic in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 8 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the D string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 6 | G, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 6 | C, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
F 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 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, 10 | F, G |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
Why it sounds like that
F neutral pentatonic is F 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 F minor pentatonic to hear the difference.
When to use it
F neutral pentatonic fits F 5th and F suspended 2nd chords. Use it over B♭ 5th and B♭ 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 4, fret 1, giving easy access to the low F and a clear starting point.
Common questions
What notes are in F neutral pentatonic?
F neutral pentatonic contains F, G, B♭, C, and E♭. The scale degrees are 1, 2, 4, 5, and ♭7. It has no tritone or leading tone.
Which chords does F neutral pentatonic fit?
F neutral pentatonic fits F 5th and F suspended 2nd chords. It also works over B♭ 5th and B♭ suspended 2nd. The major 2nd creates a suspended, open sound.
How is F neutral pentatonic different from F minor pentatonic?
F neutral pentatonic raises the ♭3 of F minor pentatonic to a major 2nd. The other notes stay the same. This removes the minor quality and adds brightness.