Tuning-specific scale diagram

F Minor Pentatonic Scale in Drop B Tuning

F Minor Pentatonic Scale in Drop B Tuning shows the same f 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
F, Ab, Bb, C, Eb
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

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

String 2Abb3

First root on each string

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

Low-string pattern

On the lowest B string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 4, 6, 9, and 11, with the F root at fret 6. On the highest C# string, the first F is at fret 4.

Fret 1C5
Fret 4Ebb7
Fret 6F1
Fret 9Abb3
Fret 11Bb4

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play F Minor Pentatonic Scale on the low B string at frets 1, 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 F root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the F root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 6, 11, 6, 1, 9, and 4, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

F Minor Pentatonic Scale in Drop B Tuning fretboard diagram
F 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 F 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