Explore scales · Ukulele
A scottish pentatonic scale on ukulele
A Scottish pentatonic uses A, B, D, E, F♯. Box 1 keeps both roots under your fingers from frets 2–5.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
How do you play the A scottish pentatonic scale on ukulele?
A scottish pentatonic in box 1 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, 4 | A, B |
| 3 (C) | 2, 4 | D, E |
| 2 (E) | 2, 5 | F♯, A |
| 1 (A) | 2, 5 | B, D |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
A scottish pentatonic in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E on the C string at fret 4 up to E on the A string at fret 7. The root falls on the E string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 7 | B, D |
| 3 (C) | 4, 6 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 1 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
A scottish pentatonic in box 4 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, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 9, 11 | A, B |
| 2 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 1 (A) | 9, 12 | F♯, A |
Why it sounds like that
Build it from A major pentatonic by raising the third C♯ to D. That gives intervals 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 with steps W, 1½, W, W, 1½. The missing third leaves the scale open and suspended. Compare it with A major pentatonic.
When to use it
Use it over A5 or Asus2 vamps where the third is absent. The D and E create a suspended colour that suits Scottish folk and modal rock. Try it over A 5th or A suspended 2nd.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first: the root sits on string 4, fret 2 and string 2, fret 5, covering frets 2–5. It gives you the scale in one compact position.
Common questions
Which notes are in A Scottish pentatonic?
The notes are A, B, D, E, and F♯. They follow the pattern 1, 2, 4, 5, 6. The third is omitted, which creates the suspended sound.
What chords work with A Scottish pentatonic?
A5 and Asus2 work well because they avoid the third. You can also use B minor and D major for movement. The scale fits over modal vamps.
How is this different from A major pentatonic?
A major pentatonic has C♯ as the third. Scottish pentatonic raises that to D, the fourth. This changes the interval pattern and removes the major third.