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G scottish pentatonic scale on guitar
G scottish pentatonic uses G, A, C, D, E. Box 1 spans frets 0–3 with the root on the sixth string.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
How do you play the G scottish pentatonic scale on guitar?
G scottish pentatonic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 12 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the low E string at fret 3, the G string at fret 0 and the high e string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 3 | E, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 3 | A, C |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3 | C, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 3 | E, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–5
G scottish pentatonic in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 5, 10 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 low E string at fret 3, the D string at fret 5 and the high e 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) | 5 | G |
| 3 (G) | 5 | C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5 | D, E |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5 | G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
G scottish 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 D string at fret 5 and the B string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 8 | A, C |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 8 | E, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 8 | A, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–10
G scottish pentatonic in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 10, 9 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 10 and the B string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 5 (A) | 10 | G |
| 4 (D) | 10 | C |
| 3 (G) | 9 | E |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10 | G, A |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10 | C, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
G scottish pentatonic in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 11 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 A string at fret 10 and the G string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 3 (G) | 12 | G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 13 | A, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12 | D, E |
Why it sounds like that
Raise the third B of G major pentatonic to C, producing 1–2–4–5–6. The step pattern W, 1½, W, W, 1½ places a wide gap between A and C. Compare with G major pentatonic to hear the suspended fourth replace the major third.
When to use it
Use it over G5 and Gsus2 chords for a suspended sound. It also fits A minor and C major progressions in rock or folk. Try G 5th and C major.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It covers frets 0–3 with the root on string 6, fret 3, making it easy to anchor phrases.
Common questions
What notes are in G scottish pentatonic?
The notes are G, A, C, D, and E. They follow the intervals 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 from the G major scale. This omits the third and seventh degrees.
Which chords work with G scottish pentatonic?
G5 and Gsus2 are the most direct fits because they avoid the third. A minor and C major also work well, since they share most of the scale tones. Use it over progressions in G major or E minor.
How does G scottish pentatonic differ from G major pentatonic?
G major pentatonic contains B, the major third. G scottish pentatonic replaces B with C, the fourth. This creates a suspended sound without a third.