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