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F♯ minor pentatonic scale on guitar
F♯ minor pentatonic contains F♯, A, B, C♯, and E. Box 1 at frets 0–2 places the root on string 6, fret 2 for a low, bright start.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7
How do you play the F♯ minor pentatonic scale on guitar?
F♯ minor 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 low E string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 2.
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
F♯ minor 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 low E string at fret 2, the D string at fret 4 and the high e string at fret 2.
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
F♯ minor 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 B 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
F♯ minor 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 A string at fret 9 and the B 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
F♯ minor 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 A string at fret 9 and the G string at fret 11.
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
F♯ minor pentatonic removes the 2nd and 6th from F♯ natural minor, leaving 1, ♭3, 4, 5, and ♭7. Add the ♭5 to get F♯ blues minor. The step pattern is 1½, W, W, 1½, W.
When to use it
F♯ minor pentatonic fits F♯ minor and F♯ 5th chords. Use it over F♯ minor, A major, and B 5th progressions in rock and blues. The E note also works over E 5th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It covers frets 0–2 with the root on string 6, fret 2, giving a low, bright foundation for blues lines.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ minor pentatonic?
F♯ minor pentatonic contains F♯, A, B, C♯, and E. The intervals are 1, ♭3, 4, 5, and ♭7. It omits the 2nd and 6th from F♯ natural minor. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit F♯ minor pentatonic?
F♯ minor pentatonic fits F♯ minor and F♯ 5th chords. It also works over A major and B 5th. The E note allows E 5th in some contexts.
How is F♯ minor pentatonic different from F♯ blues minor?
F♯ blues minor adds a ♭5 (C) to F♯ minor pentatonic. The pentatonic has five notes; the blues has six. The extra note creates chromatic passing motion.