Explore scales · Ukulele
E♭ neutral pentatonic scale on ukulele
E♭ neutral pentatonic uses E♭, F, A♭, B♭, and D♭. Box 1 places roots on string 3 fret 3 and string 1 fret 6.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 4, 5, ♭7
How do you play the E♭ neutral pentatonic scale on ukulele?
E♭ neutral pentatonic in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D♭ on the C string at fret 1 up to D♭ on the A string at fret 4. The root falls on the C string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 1, 3 | D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 4 | F, A♭ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 4 | B♭, D♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
E♭ 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 C string at fret 3 and the A string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 6 | B♭, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5 | E♭, F |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 6 | D♭, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
E♭ 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 G string at fret 8 and the E string at fret 11.
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) | 9, 11 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 11 | F, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
E♭ neutral pentatonic raises the minor 3rd of E♭ minor pentatonic to a major 2nd, keeping the perfect 4th, perfect 5th, and minor 7th. It contains no tritone and no leading tone. Compare with E♭ minor pentatonic to hear the lifted second degree.
When to use it
E♭ neutral pentatonic fits E♭ 5th and E♭ suspended 2nd chords, and its notes outline A♭ 5th and B♭ minor. Use it over E♭-centred funk or modal vamps. It also works over E♭ 5th and E♭ suspended 2nd.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 3 fret 3 sits under the index finger, and the open first string provides a high E♭ anchor.
Common questions
What notes are in E♭ neutral pentatonic?
E♭ neutral pentatonic contains E♭, F, A♭, B♭, and D♭. The formula is 1, 2, 4, 5, ♭7. It omits the 3rd and 6th degrees. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does E♭ neutral pentatonic fit?
E♭ neutral pentatonic fits E♭ 5th and E♭ suspended 2nd chords. It also works over A♭ 5th and B♭ minor. Avoid full major or minor triads with a 3rd.
Is E♭ neutral pentatonic the same as E♭ minor pentatonic?
No. E♭ neutral pentatonic replaces the minor 3rd G♭ with the major 2nd F. The other four notes are identical.