Explore scales · Guitar
F major pentatonic scale on guitar
F major pentatonic uses F, G, A, C, and D. Box 1 spans frets 1–3 with roots on the sixth, fourth, and first strings.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
How do you play the F major pentatonic scale on guitar?
F major 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 low E string at fret 1, the D string at fret 3 and the high e string at fret 1.
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
F major 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 D string at fret 3 and the B string at fret 6.
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
F major 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 8 and the B string at fret 6.
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
F major 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 A string at fret 8 and the G 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
F major 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 13, the G string at fret 10 and the high e string at fret 13.
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
F major pentatonic drops the fourth and seventh from F major, leaving intervals 1, 2, 3, 5, 6. The parent scale is F major. Removing B♭ and E eliminates the tritone and leading tone, producing a bright, open sound.
When to use it
F major pentatonic fits F major and F 5th chords, and it also works over G 5th and C 5th. Use it for folk, pop, and rock in the key of F major. Try it over F major or F 5th.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. Its root on the sixth string, first fret keeps the pattern close to the nut and easy to visualize.
Common questions
What notes are in F major pentatonic?
F major pentatonic contains F, G, A, C, and D. These are the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th degrees of the F major scale. The fourth and seventh are omitted.
Which chords does F major pentatonic fit?
F major pentatonic fits F major and F 5th chords directly. It also works over G 5th and C 5th in progressions. The scale avoids the fourth and seventh, so it rarely clashes.
Is F major pentatonic the same as D minor pentatonic?
F major pentatonic shares the same notes as D minor pentatonic. The difference is the tonal center: F major pentatonic resolves to F, while D minor pentatonic resolves to D.