Explore scales · Guitar
A minor pentatonic scale on guitar
A minor pentatonic contains A, C, D, E, and G. Box 1 at frets 0–3 gives the fastest route to the root on string 6, fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7
How do you play the A minor pentatonic scale on guitar?
A minor pentatonic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 12 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 0 and the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 3 | E, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 3 | A, C |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3 | C, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 3 | E, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–5
A minor pentatonic in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 5, 10 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 5 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 4 (D) | 5 | G |
| 3 (G) | 5 | C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5 | D, E |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5 | G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A minor pentatonic in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 12 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the D string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 8 | A, C |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 8 | E, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 8 | A, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–10
A minor pentatonic in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 10, 9 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 5 (A) | 10 | G |
| 4 (D) | 10 | C |
| 3 (G) | 9 | E |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10 | G, A |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10 | C, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
A minor pentatonic in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 11 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 12 and the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 3 (G) | 12 | G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 13 | A, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12 | D, E |
Why it sounds like that
A minor pentatonic drops the 2nd and 6th from A natural minor, leaving 1, ♭3, 4, 5, and ♭7. Add the ♭5 to get A blues minor. The pattern spans 1½, W, W, 1½, W steps.
When to use it
A minor pentatonic fits A minor and A 5th chords. Use it over A minor, C major, and D 5th progressions in rock, blues, and funk. The G note also works over G 5th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It covers frets 0–3 with the root on string 6, fret 5, anchoring the low end for blues phrases.
Common questions
What notes are in A minor pentatonic?
A minor pentatonic contains A, C, D, E, and G. The intervals are 1, ♭3, 4, 5, and ♭7. It omits the 2nd and 6th from A natural minor.
Which chords fit A minor pentatonic?
A minor pentatonic fits A minor and A 5th chords. It also works over C major and D 5th. The G note allows G 5th in some contexts.
How is A minor pentatonic different from A blues minor?
A blues minor adds a ♭5 (E♭) to A minor pentatonic. The pentatonic has five notes; the blues has six. The extra note creates chromatic passing motion.