Explore scales · Ukulele
F♯ scottish pentatonic scale on ukulele
F♯ Scottish pentatonic uses F♯, G♯, B, C♯, D♯. Box 5 spans frets 1–4 with root on string 4, fret 11.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
How do you play the F♯ scottish pentatonic scale on ukulele?
F♯ scottish pentatonic in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 8 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the C string at fret 1 up to C♯ on the A string at fret 4. The root falls on the E string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 4 | G♯, B |
| 3 (C) | 1, 3 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
F♯ scottish pentatonic in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 8 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the C string at fret 6 up to F♯ on the A string at fret 9. The root falls on the C string at fret 6 and the A string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (C) | 6, 8 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 9 | D♯, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
F♯ scottish pentatonic in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 8 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the C string at fret 8 up to G♯ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the G string at fret 11 and the A string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 11 | D♯, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 11 | G♯, B |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
Start from F♯ major pentatonic and raise the third A♯ to B. The intervals are 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 with steps W, 1½, W, W, 1½. This removes the major third for a suspended feel. See F♯ major pentatonic for contrast.
When to use it
Use it over F♯5 or F♯sus2 to keep the harmony open. The B and C♯ create a suspended colour that suits Scottish folk and modal rock. Try F♯ 5th or F♯ suspended 2nd.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 5 first: the root sits on string 4, fret 11, covering frets 1–4. It gives you the highest position for melodic runs.
Common questions
Which notes are in F♯ Scottish pentatonic?
The notes are F♯, G♯, B, C♯, and D♯. They follow the pattern 1, 2, 4, 5, 6. The third is omitted, creating a suspended sound. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What chords work with F♯ Scottish pentatonic?
F♯5 and F♯sus2 work well because they avoid the third. You can also use G♯ minor and B major for movement. The scale fits over modal vamps.
How is this different from F♯ major pentatonic?
F♯ major pentatonic has A♯ as the third. Scottish pentatonic raises that to B, the fourth. This changes the interval pattern and removes the major third.