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E neutral pentatonic scale on guitar
E neutral pentatonic contains E, F♯, A, B, and D. Box 1 keeps the root on string 5, fret 7 for a low position.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 4, 5, ♭7
How do you play the E neutral pentatonic scale on guitar?
E neutral 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 low E string at fret 0, the D string at fret 2 and the high e 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
E 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 D string at fret 2 and the B string at fret 5.
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
E neutral 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 A string at fret 7 and the B string at fret 5.
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
E neutral 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 A string at fret 7 and the G string at fret 9.
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
E neutral 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 low E string at fret 12 and the high e 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
E neutral pentatonic is built from E minor pentatonic by raising the ♭3 to a major 2nd, giving intervals 1, 2, 4, 5, ♭7. Compare it with E 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
E neutral pentatonic fits E 5th and E suspended 2nd chords, plus A 5th and B minor. Use it for modal rock or world music lines in E. The scale also works over D major for a suspended colour.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root on string 5, fret 7 and covers frets 0–3, making it easy to shift to Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in E neutral pentatonic?
E neutral pentatonic contains E, F♯, A, B, and D. The intervals are 1, 2, 4, 5, and ♭7. It has no tritone or leading tone.
Which chords does E neutral pentatonic fit?
E neutral pentatonic fits E 5th and E suspended 2nd chords. It also works over A 5th and B minor. The scale avoids the third, so it suits open fifth chords.
How is E neutral pentatonic different from E minor pentatonic?
E neutral pentatonic raises the minor third of E minor pentatonic to a major second. This removes the minor quality and creates a suspended sound. The note F♯ replaces G.
What is the step pattern of E 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.