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 2 for a sharp-key position.
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 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 8 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to B on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the E string at fret 2 and the D string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 5 | F♯, A |
| 3 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
F♯ minor pentatonic in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 up to F♯ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the A string at fret 9 and the G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 12 | C♯, E |
| 3 (A) | 9, 12 | F♯, A |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ minor pentatonic derives from F♯ natural minor by removing the 2nd and 6th degrees. The result is 1, ♭3, 4, 5, and ♭7. Add the ♭5 to form F♯ blues minor.
When to use it
F♯ minor pentatonic fits F♯ minor and F♯ 5th chords. Use it for rock and metal 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 2, covering frets 2–5. 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. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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 2. Play the notes ascending and descending with a metronome. Then connect to Box 2 by sliding from E to F♯.