Explore scales · Ukulele
D minor pentatonic scale on ukulele
D minor pentatonic contains D, F, G, A, and C. Box 1 roots on string 3, fret 2 and string 1, fret 5 for a low-position grip.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7
How do you play the D minor pentatonic scale on ukulele?
D 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 C string at fret 2.
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) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 3 | A, C |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
D 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 C string at fret 2 and the A string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 5 | A, C |
| 3 (C) | 2, 5 | D, F |
| 2 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 1 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
D minor 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 G string at fret 7 and the A string at fret 5.
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) | 5, 8 | A, C |
| 1 (A) | 5, 8 | D, F |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
D 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 G string at fret 7 and the E string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 10 | D, F |
| 3 (C) | 7, 9 | G, A |
| 2 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
Why it sounds like that
D minor pentatonic drops the second and sixth degrees from D 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. Adding a ♭5 creates the D blues minor scale.
When to use it
D minor pentatonic fits D minor and D 5th chords, and suits blues, rock, and folk in D minor. The flat third and seventh give a classic minor pentatonic sound.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first: the root sits on string 3, fret 2, covering frets 0–3 with an easy reach to the open first string.
Common questions
What notes are in D minor pentatonic?
D minor pentatonic contains D, F, G, A, and C. The scale drops the second and sixth degrees from D natural minor. This five-note set is widely used in blues and rock.
Which chords fit D minor pentatonic?
D minor pentatonic fits D minor and D 5th chords. It also works over F major and G 5th in a progression. The scale avoids notes that clash with these chords.
How does D minor pentatonic relate to D blues minor?
D minor pentatonic adds a ♭5 to become D blues minor. The blues scale has six notes instead of five. That extra note is the blue note between the fourth and fifth.