Explore scales · Ukulele
G minor pentatonic scale on ukulele
G minor pentatonic contains G, B♭, C, D, and F. Box 1 places the root on string 2, fret 3 for a low-position grip.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7
How do you play the G minor pentatonic scale on ukulele?
G 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 G string at fret 0 and the E string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 3 | G, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 2 | C, D |
| 2 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
G 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 C string at fret 7.
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) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 5, 8 | D, F |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
G 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 C string at fret 7 and the A string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 10 | D, F |
| 3 (C) | 7, 10 | G, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
Why it sounds like that
G minor pentatonic removes the second and sixth degrees from G 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 G blues minor scale.
When to use it
G minor pentatonic fits G minor and G 5th chords, and works over rock and metal progressions in G 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 2, fret 3, covering frets 0–3 with an easy reach to the open first string.
Common questions
What notes are in G minor pentatonic?
G minor pentatonic contains G, B♭, C, D, and F. The scale omits the second and sixth degrees of G natural minor. This five-note set is common in rock and metal soloing.
Which chords fit G minor pentatonic?
G minor pentatonic fits G minor and G 5th chords. It also works over B♭ major and C 5th in a progression. The scale avoids notes that clash with these chords.
How does G minor pentatonic relate to G blues minor?
G minor pentatonic adds a ♭5 to become G blues minor. The blues scale has six notes instead of five. That extra note is the blue note between the fourth and fifth.