Explore scales · Guitar
B neutral pentatonic scale on guitar
B neutral pentatonic contains B, C♯, E, F♯, and A. Box 1 places the root on string 6, fret 7 for a low position.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 4, 5, ♭7
How do you play the B neutral pentatonic scale on guitar?
B neutral pentatonic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 2, 10 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) | 2 | E |
| 3 (G) | 2 | A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B neutral 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, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 5 | C♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 5 | F♯, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–7
B neutral pentatonic in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 7, 9 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) | 7 | E |
| 4 (D) | 7 | A |
| 3 (G) | 6 | C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7 | A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
B neutral pentatonic in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 11 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) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 9 | E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 10 | F♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
B neutral pentatonic in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 12 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. 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, 12 | C♯, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 12 | F♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12 | A, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 12 | C♯, E |
Why it sounds like that
B neutral pentatonic comes from B minor pentatonic by raising the ♭3 to a major 2nd, producing intervals 1, 2, 4, 5, ♭7. Compare it with B minor pentatonic to hear the difference. The scale has no tritone or leading tone. Its step pattern is W, 1½, W, 1½, W.
When to use it
B neutral pentatonic fits B 5th and B suspended 2nd chords, as well as E 5th and F♯ minor. Use it for open, drone-based rock or folk lines in B. The scale also works over A major when you want a suspended sound.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root on string 6, fret 7 and covers frets 0–2, setting up easy movement to Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in B neutral pentatonic?
B neutral pentatonic contains B, C♯, E, F♯, and A. The intervals are 1, 2, 4, 5, and ♭7. It has no tritone or leading tone.
Which chords does B neutral pentatonic fit?
B neutral pentatonic fits B 5th and B suspended 2nd chords. It also works over E 5th and F♯ minor. The scale avoids the third, so it suits open fifth chords.
How is B neutral pentatonic different from B minor pentatonic?
B neutral pentatonic raises the minor third of B minor pentatonic to a major second. This removes the minor quality and creates a suspended sound. The note C♯ replaces D.
What is the step pattern of B neutral pentatonic?
The step pattern is whole, one and a half, whole, one and a half, whole. This gives the scale its neutral, open character. It is also known as Egyptian or Shang.