Explore scales · Ukulele
A minor pentatonic scale on ukulele
A minor pentatonic contains A, C, D, E, and G. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 2 for a compact low-position grip.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7
How do you play the A minor pentatonic scale on ukulele?
A minor pentatonic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 8 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 2 and the A string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 3 (C) | 0, 2 | C, D |
| 2 (E) | 0, 3 | E, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 3 | A, C |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
A minor pentatonic in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D on the C string at fret 2 up to D on the A string at fret 5. The root falls on the G string at fret 2 and the E string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 5 | A, C |
| 3 (C) | 2, 4 | D, E |
| 2 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 1 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
A minor pentatonic in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 8 notes across 4 strings, from G on the C string at fret 7 up to G on the A string at fret 10. The root falls on the C string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 3 (C) | 7, 9 | G, A |
| 2 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 1 (A) | 7, 10 | E, G |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
A minor pentatonic in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the C string at fret 9 and the A string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 12 | E, G |
| 3 (C) | 9, 12 | A, C |
| 2 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 1 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
Why it sounds like that
A minor pentatonic drops the second and sixth degrees from A natural minor, leaving a five-note set built as 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7. The intervals are 0, 3, 5, 7, 10 semitones, with steps of 1½, whole, whole, 1½, whole. Add the ♭5 to create the six-note A blues minor scale.
When to use it
A minor pentatonic fits A minor and A 5th chords, and works over rock, blues, and funk progressions in A minor. Use it for riffs and solos where the flat third and seventh give a minor colour without chromatic tension.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first: the root sits on string 4, fret 2, covering frets 0–3 with an easy open-string reach.
Common questions
What notes are in A minor pentatonic?
A minor pentatonic contains A, C, D, E, and G. The scale omits the second and sixth degrees of A natural minor. This five-note set is the basis for many blues and rock lines.
Which chords fit A minor pentatonic?
A minor pentatonic fits A minor and A 5th chords. It also works over C major and D 5th in a progression. The scale avoids the second and sixth degrees that might clash with these chords.
How does A minor pentatonic relate to A blues minor?
A minor pentatonic adds a ♭5 to become A blues minor. The blues scale has six notes instead of five. That extra note is the blue note between the fourth and fifth.