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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 2 for a compact shape.
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 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 8 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the E string at fret 4 up to C♯ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the D string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 7 | G♯, B |
| 3 (A) | 4, 7 | C♯, E |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
F♯ neutral 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, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11 | 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 2, giving a compact shape that avoids open strings.
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. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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.