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C neutral pentatonic scale on guitar
C neutral pentatonic contains C, D, F, G, and B♭. Box 1 keeps the root on string 5, fret 3 for a compact shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 4, 5, ♭7
How do you play the C neutral pentatonic scale on guitar?
C neutral pentatonic in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 3, 10 notes across 6 strings, from F on the low E string at fret 1 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 3 and the B string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 5 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 4 (D) | 3 | F |
| 3 (G) | 3 | B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3 | C, D |
| 1 (e) | 1, 3 | F, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C neutral pentatonic in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 12 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to B♭ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the A string at fret 3 and the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 6 | G, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 6 | D, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 6 | G, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–8
C neutral pentatonic in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 8, 9 notes across 6 strings, from B♭ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the low E string at fret 8 and the high e string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 5 (A) | 8 | F |
| 4 (D) | 8 | B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 7 | D |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8 | F, G |
| 1 (e) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C neutral pentatonic in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 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 low E string at fret 8, the D string at fret 10 and the high e string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 5 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 3 (G) | 10 | F |
| 2 (B) | 8, 11 | G, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10 | C, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
C neutral pentatonic in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 12 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to F on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the D string at fret 10 and the B string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 13 | D, F |
| 5 (A) | 10, 13 | G, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 3 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
| 2 (B) | 11, 13 | B♭, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 13 | D, F |
Why it sounds like that
C neutral pentatonic is derived from C minor pentatonic by raising the ♭3 to a major 2nd, giving intervals 1, 2, 4, 5, ♭7. Compare it with C minor pentatonic to hear the change. The scale contains no tritone or leading tone. Its step pattern is W, 1½, W, 1½, W.
When to use it
C neutral pentatonic fits C 5th and C suspended 2nd chords, plus F 5th and G minor. Use it for modal rock or world music lines in C. The scale also works over B♭ major for a suspended colour.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root on string 5, fret 3 and covers frets 1–3, making it easy to shift to Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in C neutral pentatonic?
C neutral pentatonic contains C, D, F, G, and B♭. The intervals are 1, 2, 4, 5, and ♭7. It has no tritone or leading tone.
Which chords does C neutral pentatonic fit?
C neutral pentatonic fits C 5th and C suspended 2nd chords. It also works over F 5th and G minor. The scale avoids the third, so it suits open fifth chords.
How is C neutral pentatonic different from C minor pentatonic?
C neutral pentatonic raises the minor third of C minor pentatonic to a major second. This removes the minor quality and creates a suspended sound. The note D replaces E♭.
What is the step pattern of C 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.