Tuning-specific scale diagram

Bb Minor Pentatonic Scale in Drop B Tuning

Bb Minor Pentatonic Scale in Drop B Tuning shows the same bb minor pentatonic scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned B F# B E G# C#. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
Bb, Db, Eb, F, Ab
Formula
1 b3 4 5 b7
Semitones
0 3 5 7 10
Tuning
B F# B E G# C#
Strings
6
Open pitch range
B1 to C#4
24-fret range
B1 to C#6

Open strings and root positions

2 of the 6 open strings belong to Bb Minor Pentatonic Scale: string 2 Ab (b7) and string 1 Db (b3). None of those open-string tones is the Bb root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 2Abb7
String 1Dbb3

First root on each string

String 6Fret 11
String 5Fret 4
String 4Fret 11
String 3Fret 6
String 2Fret 2
String 1Fret 9

Low-string pattern

On the lowest B string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 2, 4, 6, 9, and 11, with the Bb root at fret 11. On the highest C# string, the first Bb is at fret 9.

Fret 2Dbb3
Fret 4Eb4
Fret 6F5
Fret 9Abb7
Fret 11Bb1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play Bb Minor Pentatonic Scale on the low B string at frets 2, 4, 6, 9, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets Ab on open string 2 ring, then connect it to the nearest Bb root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the Bb root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 11, 4, 11, 6, 2, and 9, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

Bb Minor Pentatonic Scale in Drop B Tuning fretboard diagram
Bb Minor Pentatonic Scale in Drop B Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing B F# B E G# C#.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

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

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings