Five-note scale (1–♭3–4–5–♭7); central to rock, blues, funk, and pop solos.
Pentatonic Minor Scale
The Pentatonic Minor Scale is the darker twin of the major version. It removes the 2nd and 6th degrees from the natural minor scale, creating a universally playable, blues-ready framework for melody and improvisation.
Formula (intervals):
(W+H) – W – W – (W+H) – W
or degrees: 1 – ♭3 – 4 – 5 – ♭7
Example – A Pentatonic Minor:
A C D E G A
| Degree | Function | Interval from Tonic | Nashville | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | 0 | 1 | Root and tonal center |
| ♭3 | Minor third | +3 | 3 | Defines minor color |
| 4 | Subdominant | +5 | 4 | Provides tension/resolution pivot |
| 5 | Dominant | +7 | 5 | Harmonic anchor |
| ♭7 | Subtonic | +10 | 7 | Bluesy flavor, softens cadence |
Usage:
- Foundation of blues, rock, and jazz soloing.
- Almost impossible to clash—works over major or minor progressions with the right phrasing.
- When combined with chromatic passing tones (notably ♯4/♭5), it becomes the Blues Scale.
- Example: Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King, and countless guitar solos from classic rock to modern pop.
More in the
Scales and Modes
category...
AKA:
minor pentatonic