Bb Pentatonic Major
B flat Pentatonic scale for guitar.
The Bb Pentatonic Major is a five-note scale. The fingerboard diagram shows the scale notes with root notes in darker color. In the two-octave pattern, the first root note is on the 6th string, 6th fret.
Bb Pentatonic Major 2 octaves
Bb Pentatonic Major full fretboard
Bb Pentatonic Major with note names
Shape 1 (5th position)
Shape 5 (3rd position)
The scale and its scale degrees.
| Formula | Notes |
|---|---|
| 1 | Bb |
| 2 | C |
| 3 | D |
| 5 | F |
| 6 | G |
The fourth degree is omitted, as well as the seventh, since the degrees are based on the regular Major seven-note scale.
The interval formula (2 - 2 - 3 - 2 - 3) can be expound into specific notes of the scale.
| Notes (ascending) | Interval |
|---|---|
| Bb-C | M2 |
| Bb-D | M3 |
| Bb-F | P5 |
| Bb-G | M6 |
| Notes (descending) | Interval |
|---|---|
| Bb-G | m3 |
| Bb-F | P4 |
| Bb-D | m6 |
| Bb-C | m7 |
Abbreviations are used: M / m stands for major / minor and P stands for perfect.
The notes in the scale can be described as intervals, written as 2 - 2 - 3 - 2 - 3 from the first note to the first in next octave.
The Bb Pentatonic Major is relative to G Pentatonic Minor. Both scales include the same notes but with different root notes.
This scale is one of the most common for guitarists and utilized in conjunction with lots of styles, including pop, country and blues.
The easiest way to learn this scale is probably to think of it as the Bb Major scale without the fourth and the seventh degrees.
Some of the chords that are related to this scale are listed here:
- Bb
- Cm7
- Dm7
- Fsus4
- Gm
The tones in these chords correspond to the tones of the Bb Pentatonic Major scale. Notice that the match is not completely exact, the third (Eb) in Cm7 and the fifth (A) in Dm7 are not included in the scale.
Related to this scale is the Bb Pentatonic Major add4, adding the 4th degree. It can be displayed as follows:
| Formula | Notes | Intervals | Degrees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bb | Unison | Tonic |
| 2 | C | Major second | Supertonic |
| 3 | D | Major third | Mediant |
| 4 | Eb | Perfect fourth | Subdominant |
| 5 | F | Perfect fifth | Dominant |
| 6 | G | Sixth | Submediant |
The Bb Pentatonic Major add4 scale, is identical with the Bb Major except for missing the major 7th interval.
Start the audio and play along with your guitar! Use notes from the scale in the diagram above.
Normal tempo:B flat Pentatonic Major scale first shape ascending.
The numbers above the tablature are suggested fingerings.