Scale · 5 notes
A minor pentatonic scale — guitar notes & shapes
The A minor pentatonic scale is A, C, D, E, G. Five notes, no half steps: the minor pentatonic is the first scale most guitarists learn for soloing, because almost nothing in it sounds wrong over a minor or blues backing.
On the fretboard
Red = root (A). High e string on top, like tab. Numbers show the scale degree. Shaded area: position 1 (frets 5–8).
Notes and formula
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | root |
| ♭3 | C | minor 3rd |
| 4 | D | perfect 4th |
| 5 | E | perfect 5th |
| ♭7 | G | minor 7th |
Steps: W+H W W W+H W (W = whole step, H = half step).
Chords to play it over
Relative scale: C major pentatonic.
Home key: Am.
Sound, styles and practice
Styles: Blues, rock, hard rock, funk and soul solos.
- Learn “box 1” (highlighted) first: root under your index on the low E string.
- Bend the 4th up a whole step to the 5th — the classic rock bend.
- Play over a slow jam track and end your phrases on the root.
Go further with the pentatonic scale guide and how to improvise.
FAQ
- What notes are in the A minor pentatonic scale?
- A minor pentatonic: A, C, D, E, G.
- Where do I play A minor pentatonic on the guitar?
- The easiest place is around fret 5, where A sits on the low E string (highlighted in the diagram). The same pattern repeats 12 frets higher.
- What is its relative scale?
- C major pentatonic — the same notes with a different home note.