Explore scales · Ukulele
B♭ neutral pentatonic scale on ukulele
B♭ neutral pentatonic uses B♭, C, E♭, F, and A♭. Box 1 places roots on string 4 fret 3 and string 1 fret 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 4, 5, ♭7
How do you play the B♭ neutral pentatonic scale on ukulele?
B♭ neutral pentatonic in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the G string at fret 3 and the E string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5 | E♭, F |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 6 | C, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
B♭ neutral 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, 8 | C, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 8 | F, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
B♭ neutral pentatonic in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 8 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the C string at fret 8 up to A♭ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the C string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 11 | C, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 11 | F, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ neutral pentatonic raises the minor 3rd of B♭ minor pentatonic to a major 2nd, keeping the perfect 4th, perfect 5th, and minor 7th. It contains no tritone and no leading tone. Hear the difference against B♭ minor pentatonic.
When to use it
B♭ neutral pentatonic fits B♭ 5th and B♭ suspended 2nd chords, and its notes outline E♭ 5th and F minor. Use it over B♭-centred funk or modal vamps. It also works over B♭ 5th and B♭ suspended 2nd.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 4 fret 3 keeps the hand low, and the open first string provides a high B♭ anchor.
Common questions
What notes are in B♭ neutral pentatonic?
B♭ neutral pentatonic contains B♭, C, E♭, F, and A♭. The formula is 1, 2, 4, 5, ♭7. It omits the 3rd and 6th degrees. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does B♭ neutral pentatonic fit?
B♭ neutral pentatonic fits B♭ 5th and B♭ suspended 2nd chords. It also works over E♭ 5th and F minor. Avoid full major or minor triads with a 3rd.
Is B♭ neutral pentatonic the same as B♭ minor pentatonic?
No. B♭ neutral pentatonic replaces the minor 3rd D♭ with the major 2nd C. The other four notes are identical.