akousia
Start here

B Pentatonic Scale

B pentatonic can mean two five-note scales. The major version is B, C sharp, D sharp, F sharp, G sharp; the minor version is B, D, E, F sharp, A. The name needs a qualifier because both begin on B but use different notes.

  • Major: B-C sharp-D sharp-F sharp-G sharp
  • Minor: B-D-E-F sharp-A
  • Five notes in either version
Hear B minor pentatonicminor-pentatonic
C4C5

Which notes should you use?

B major pentatonic takes degrees 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 of the B major scale. Its three-note tonic chord is B-D sharp-F sharp. Those notes give you a clear place to start a major-key melody.

B minor pentatonic uses degrees 1, flat 3, 4, 5 and flat 7. Its tonic chord is B-D-F sharp. The two pentatonic sets share B and F sharp, but the other three notes differ. When the chord is B minor, begin with the minor set; when it is B major, begin with the major set. Check longer notes against the accompaniment.

What changes at the keyboard?

Only B and F sharp occur in both versions. D sharp belongs to the major third; D natural gives the minor third.

A five-note set leaves gaps compared with a seven-note scale. Neither common major nor common minor pentatonic version has a half step between adjacent scale notes. That gives you room to build small phrases, although it does not guarantee that every note fits every chord. Pentatonic and Blues Scales explains the two formulas and their limits.

Try a comparison

End a four-note line on B each time: C sharp-D sharp-F sharp-B for major, then D-E-F sharp-B for minor. Let B ring long enough to hear it as home.

For an added passing note in the minor set, continue to B Blues Scale.

Keep going

Every pentatonic and blues scale

Open pentatonic and blues scales