Tuning-specific scale diagram

A Minor Pentatonic Scale in B Standard Tuning

A Minor Pentatonic Scale in B Standard Tuning shows the same a minor pentatonic scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned B E A D F# B. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
A, C, D, E, G
Formula
1 b3 4 5 b7
Semitones
0 3 5 7 10
Tuning
B E A D F# B
Strings
6
Open pitch range
B1 to B3
24-fret range
B1 to B5

Open strings and root positions

3 of the 6 open strings belong to A Minor Pentatonic Scale: string 5 E (5), string 4 A (1), and string 3 D (4). A roots occur on open string 4.

String 5E5
String 4A1
String 3D4

First root on each string

String 6Fret 10
String 5Fret 5
String 4Open
String 3Fret 7
String 2Fret 3
String 1Fret 10

Low-string pattern

On the lowest B string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10, with the A root at fret 10. On the highest B string, the first A is at fret 10.

Fret 1Cb3
Fret 3D4
Fret 5E5
Fret 8Gb7
Fret 10A1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play A Minor Pentatonic Scale on the low B string at frets 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets E on open string 5 ring, then connect it to the nearest A root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the A root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 10, 5, 0, 7, 3, and 10, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

A Minor Pentatonic Scale in B Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
A Minor Pentatonic Scale in B Standard Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing B E A D F# B.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with A Minor Pentatonic Scale and b standard tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings