Minor Pentatonic Scale Scale

The most important scale for blues, rock, and lead guitar. Five notes that work over minor chords and blues progressions.

beginnerPentatonic ScaleA Minor • E Minor • G Minor

Scale Formula

1-b3-4-5-b7

Interval pattern

Scale Notes:

A - C - D - E - G

Intervals:

Root, Minor 3rd, Perfect 4th, Perfect 5th, Minor 7th

Why Learn This Scale?

  • •Blues improvisation
  • •Rock guitar solos
  • •Country lead guitar
  • •Funk rhythms
  • •Jazz fusion

Common Keys

A Minor
E Minor
G Minor
D Minor
B Minor

Fretboard Patterns

Box Pattern 1

Position 1
Fret 5 - Box Pattern 1

Starting fret: 5

The most famous guitar scale pattern - essential for rock and blues solos

💡 Tip: The most famous guitar scale pattern - essential for rock and blues solos

Box Pattern 2

Position 2
Fret 8 - Box Pattern 2

Starting fret: 8

Second position - connects to pattern 1 for extended solos

💡 Tip: Second position - connects to pattern 1 for extended solos

Practice Exercises

Box Pattern Mastery

80-140 BPMFluency and bending technique

Master the fundamental pentatonic box shape

Steps:

  1. 1.Memorize the box pattern thoroughly
  2. 2.Practice string bending on the 3rd and 7th degrees
  3. 3.Work on vibrato techniques
  4. 4.Create simple melodic phrases
  5. 5.Practice over backing tracks

Position Connecting

60-100 BPMFretboard navigation

Connect multiple pentatonic patterns

Steps:

  1. 1.Learn patterns 1 and 2
  2. 2.Practice transitioning between patterns
  3. 3.Create runs that span multiple positions
  4. 4.Improvise using connected patterns

Music Theory

Parent Scale

This scale is derived from the natural-minor

Chord Tones

1
b3
5
b7

Famous Uses

"Sweet Child O' Mine"

by Guns N' Roses

Key: D Minor Pentatonic

"Black"

by Pearl Jam

Key: E Minor Pentatonic

"Comfortably Numb"

by Pink Floyd

Key: B Minor Pentatonic

Master More Guitar Scales

Expand your musical vocabulary with our complete collection of guitar scales and modes.

Browse All Scales →Practice Exercises