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Guitar scales · Minor pentatonic

G minor pentatonic scale on guitar

The G minor has five notes: G, B♭, C, D and F. As degrees: 1, ♭3, 4, 5 and ♭7.

Notes and pattern

The G minor pentatonic scale

The first scale most guitarists learn: the backbone of blues and rock soloing. Play it to hear it up and down.

From note to note it climbs 3, 2, 2, 3 and 2 : there are no , which is why it is so hard to hit a wrong note.

G minor has the same notes as B♭ major pentatonic, starting from G. See that scale.

  1. G1
  2. B♭♭3
  3. C4
  4. D5
  5. F♭7
EADGBE0135791215GGGGGGGGGFB♭CDFB♭CDFB♭CDFB♭CDFB♭CDFB♭CDFB♭CDFB♭CDF
  • G, the root
  • Other scale notes

Positions

G minor pentatonic in five positions

The splits the neck into five overlapping positions, one per shape. Learn one, then join it to the next.

Box 1 starts at 3, with the , G, under your first finger on the low E string.

G minor · G-shape position · box 1

Frets 3–6. The Gm chord (Em form) is in ink.

EADGBE0135791215GGGDB♭DB♭CFCFB♭
  • Root (G)
  • Chord shape
  • Pentatonic tone

Chords

What to play G minor pentatonic over

Play it over songs in G minor or B♭ major, and over a 12-bar blues in G (G7, C7 and D7).

Same root

Change a note or two and the same takes on a new mood.

Questions

G minor pentatonic, in short

What notes are in the G minor pentatonic scale?
The G minor has five notes: G, B♭, C, D and F. As degrees: 1, ♭3, 4, 5 and ♭7.
What chords go with the G minor pentatonic scale?
Play it over songs in G minor or B♭ major, and over a 12-bar blues in G (G7, C7 and D7).
What is the relative major of G minor pentatonic?
G minor pentatonic has the same notes as B♭ major pentatonic, starting from G.
All guitar scales