Scale
F Minor Pentatonic Scale
Interactive keyboard
Highlighted notes form this scale.
Notes
F · A♭ · B♭ · C · E♭
Root: F
Intervals
1 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭7
How it is built
This scale starts on F and applies the intervals 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7. The result contains 5 distinct pitch classes per octave.
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Guide and musical context
About F Minor Pentatonic Scale
F Minor Pentatonic Scale uses the notes F, A♭, B♭, C, E♭. Its character is direct, flexible and instantly recognizable in rock and blues.
Character and sound
Direct, flexible and instantly recognizable in rock and blues.
Musical context and history
Minor pentatonic is one of the most widespread improvisational vocabularies in modern popular music and is closely connected with blues language.
How and where it is used
It is constantly used in rock, blues, funk, soul, pop and lead guitar because it fits many minor and dominant contexts.
In Theory view you can hear the pitch collection without depending on a specific fingering. Then switch to Piano, Guitar, Ukulele or Mandolin to see how the same notes are physically distributed on each instrument.
Harmonic and musical relationships
A practical way to understand this scale is to compare it with the major and minor scales starting on F. The altered notes are exactly what create its characteristic color.
The formula on this page is 1 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭7 and, from F, produces the notes F · A♭ · B♭ · C · E♭.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the F Minor Pentatonic Scale?
The notes are F, A♭, B♭, C, E♭.
What is its interval formula?
The formula is 1 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭7.
How does it sound and what is it used for?
Direct, flexible and instantly recognizable in rock and blues. It is constantly used in rock, blues, funk, soul, pop and lead guitar because it fits many minor and dominant contexts.
Can I view it on a specific instrument?
Yes. Use the selector near the top to switch between Piano, Guitar, Ukulele and Mandolin without changing the musical combination you are studying.