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