Explore scales · Ukulele
B minor pentatonic scale on ukulele
B minor pentatonic contains B, D, E, F♯, and A. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 4 and string 1, fret 2 for a mid-neck grip.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7
How do you play the B minor pentatonic scale on ukulele?
B minor 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 4 and the A string at fret 2.
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
B minor 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 G string at fret 4 and the E string at fret 7.
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
B minor 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 11.
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
B minor pentatonic removes the second and sixth degrees from B natural minor, leaving 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 form the B blues minor scale.
When to use it
B minor pentatonic fits B minor and B 5th chords, and works over rock and metal progressions in B minor. The scale’s flat third and seventh provide a strong minor tonality.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first: the root sits on string 4, fret 4, covering frets 2–5 with a compact four-fret span.
Common questions
What notes are in B minor pentatonic?
B minor pentatonic contains B, D, E, F♯, and A. The scale omits the second and sixth degrees of B natural minor. This five-note set is a staple of rock and metal soloing.
Which chords fit B minor pentatonic?
B minor pentatonic fits B minor and B 5th chords. It also works over D major and E 5th in a progression. The scale avoids notes that clash with these chords.
How does B minor pentatonic relate to B blues minor?
B minor pentatonic adds a ♭5 to become B blues minor. The blues scale has six notes instead of five. That extra note is the blue note between the fourth and fifth.