G scottish pentatonic scale on ukulele

G Scottish pentatonic uses G, A, C, D, E. Box 2 places the root on string 3, fret 7 and string 2, fret 3.

Positions on the neck1 of 4

How it is built

G1A2C4D5E6

Formula 1, 2, 4, 5, 6

How do you play the G scottish pentatonic scale on ukulele?

G scottish 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, 2	G, A
3 (C)	0, 2	C, D
2 (E)	0, 3	E, G
1 (A)	0, 3	A, C

Box 2 · frets 2–5

G scottish 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 E string at fret 3.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (G)	2, 5	A, C
3 (C)	2, 4	D, E
2 (E)	3, 5	G, A
1 (A)	3, 5	C, D

Box 4 · frets 7–10

G scottish 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, 9	D, E
3 (C)	7, 9	G, A
2 (E)	8, 10	C, D
1 (A)	7, 10	E, G

Box 5 · frets 9–12

G scottish pentatonic in box 5 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 G string at fret 12 and the A string at fret 10.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (G)	9, 12	E, G
3 (C)	9, 12	A, C
2 (E)	10, 12	D, E
1 (A)	10, 12	G, A

Why it sounds like that

Derive it from G major pentatonic by raising the third B to C. The intervals become 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 with steps W, 1½, W, W, 1½. The missing third gives a suspended quality. Compare with G major pentatonic to hear the raised fourth.

When to use it

Use it over G5 or Gsus2 to keep the harmony open. The C and D create a suspended colour that suits Scottish folk and modal rock. Try G 5th or G suspended 2nd.

Which position to practise

Learn Box 2 first: the root sits on string 3, fret 7 and string 2, fret 3, covering frets 2–5. It gives you the scale across two octaves.

Common questions

Which notes are in G Scottish pentatonic?

The notes are G, A, C, D, and E. They follow the pattern 1, 2, 4, 5, 6. The third is omitted, creating a suspended sound.

What chords work with G Scottish pentatonic?

G5 and Gsus2 work well because they avoid the third. You can also use A minor and C major for movement. The scale fits over modal vamps.

How is this different from G major pentatonic?

G major pentatonic has B as the third. Scottish pentatonic raises that to C, the fourth. This changes the interval pattern and removes the major third.