Explore scales · Guitar
F♯ neutral pentatonic scale on guitar
F♯ neutral pentatonic contains F♯, G♯, B, C♯, and E. Box 2 places the root on string 5, fret 9 for a mid-neck shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 4, 5, ♭7
How do you play the F♯ neutral pentatonic scale on guitar?
F♯ neutral pentatonic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 2, 9 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) | 2 | B |
| 4 (D) | 2 | E |
| 3 (G) | 1 | G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
F♯ neutral pentatonic in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 11 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to G♯ on the high e string at fret 4. 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, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 4 | B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 5 | C♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
F♯ neutral pentatonic in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 12 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the D string at fret 4 and the B string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 7 | G♯, B |
| 5 (A) | 4, 7 | C♯, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 7 | G♯, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–9
F♯ neutral pentatonic in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 9, 10 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) | 9 | B |
| 3 (G) | 9 | E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
F♯ neutral 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, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 12 | G♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 12 | C♯, E |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ neutral pentatonic is built from F♯ minor pentatonic by raising the ♭3 to a major 2nd, giving intervals 1, 2, 4, 5, ♭7. Compare it with F♯ 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
F♯ neutral pentatonic fits F♯ 5th and F♯ suspended 2nd chords, plus B 5th and C♯ minor. Use it for modal rock or world music lines in F♯. The scale also works over E major for a suspended colour.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 2 first. It keeps the root on string 5, fret 9 and covers frets 2–5, making it easy to shift to Box 3.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ neutral pentatonic?
F♯ neutral pentatonic contains F♯, G♯, B, C♯, and E. The intervals are 1, 2, 4, 5, and ♭7. It has no tritone or leading tone. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does F♯ neutral pentatonic fit?
F♯ neutral pentatonic fits F♯ 5th and F♯ suspended 2nd chords. It also works over B 5th and C♯ minor. The scale avoids the third, so it suits open fifth chords.
How is F♯ neutral pentatonic different from F♯ minor pentatonic?
F♯ neutral pentatonic raises the minor third of F♯ minor pentatonic to a major second. This removes the minor quality and creates a suspended sound. The note G♯ replaces A.
What is the step pattern of F♯ 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.