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B major pentatonic scale on guitar
B major pentatonic uses B, C♯, D♯, F♯, and G♯. Box 1 spans frets 2–4 with roots on the fifth and third strings.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
How do you play the B major pentatonic scale on guitar?
B major pentatonic in box 1 runs from fret 2 to fret 4, 10 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to G♯ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 4 | F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 4 | B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
B major pentatonic in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 12 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the low E string at fret 7, the G string at fret 4 and the high e string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 7 | G♯, B |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 7 | D♯, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 7 | G♯, B |
Box 3 · frets 7–9
B major pentatonic in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 9, 9 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the low E string at fret 7, the D string at fret 9 and the high e string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 9 | F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 9 | B |
| 3 (G) | 8 | D♯ |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
B major pentatonic in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 11 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to D♯ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the D string at fret 9 and the B string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 11 | F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 12 | G♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
B major pentatonic in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 12 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 14. The root falls on the A string at fret 14 and the B string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 14 | D♯, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 11, 14 | G♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 12, 14 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 14 | D♯, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
B major pentatonic drops the fourth and seventh from B major, leaving intervals 1, 2, 3, 5, 6. The parent scale is B major. Removing E and A♯ eliminates the tritone and leading tone, producing a bright, open sound.
When to use it
B major pentatonic fits B major and B 5th chords, and it also works over C♯ 5th and F♯ 5th. Use it for rock and pop in the key of B major. Try it over B major or B 5th.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. Its root on the fifth string, second fret gives a compact shape that connects to the open B chord.
Common questions
What notes are in B major pentatonic?
B major pentatonic contains B, C♯, D♯, F♯, and G♯. These are the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th degrees of the B major scale. The fourth and seventh are omitted.
Which chords does B major pentatonic fit?
B major pentatonic fits B major and B 5th chords directly. It also works over C♯ 5th and F♯ 5th in progressions. The scale avoids the fourth and seventh, so it rarely clashes.
Is B major pentatonic the same as G♯ minor pentatonic?
B major pentatonic shares the same notes as G♯ minor pentatonic. The difference is the tonal center: B major pentatonic resolves to B, while G♯ minor pentatonic resolves to G♯.