Explore scales · Ukulele
B♭ major pentatonic scale on ukulele
B♭ major pentatonic uses B♭, C, D, F, and G. Its Box 1 shape places the root on the fourth string, third fret.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
How do you play the B♭ major pentatonic scale on ukulele?
B♭ major 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 3 and the A string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 3 | G, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 2 | C, D |
| 2 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
B♭ major pentatonic in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 8 notes across 4 strings, from F on the C string at fret 5 up to F on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the E string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 3 (C) | 5, 7 | F, G |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 5, 8 | D, F |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
B♭ major 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 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 10 | D, F |
| 3 (C) | 7, 10 | G, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ major pentatonic derives from B♭ major by removing the fourth and seventh degrees. The parent scale B♭ major contains E♭ and A, which are left out here. The remaining intervals are 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6. See the full B♭ major scale for comparison.
When to use it
B♭ major pentatonic fits B♭ major and B♭ 5th chords. It also works over F 5th and G minor, common in horn-driven funk and pop. Use it for smooth, singable lines in the key of B♭. Try it over a B♭ major to F 5th progression.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first: it keeps the root on the fourth string, third fret. This shape covers frets 0–3 and prepares you for the higher Box 2.
Common questions
Which notes are in B♭ major pentatonic?
B♭ major pentatonic contains B♭, C, D, F, and G. These are the 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 degrees of the B♭ major scale. The fourth and seventh degrees are omitted. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does B♭ major pentatonic work over?
B♭ major pentatonic works over B♭ major and B♭ 5th chords. It also fits F 5th and G minor chords. These chords appear in many funk and pop progressions in the key of B♭.
How does B♭ major pentatonic differ from B♭ major?
B♭ major pentatonic omits the fourth and seventh degrees of B♭ major. The missing notes are E♭ and A. This removal creates a brighter, more open sound.