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Scales

A minor pentatonic scale

The A minor pentatonic scale notes: A – C – D – E – G. Five notes: 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7. The first scale most guitarists learn for rock and blues solos.

Notes and steps

A1C♭3D4E5G♭7

Steps: W+H – W – W – W+H – W · W = whole step, H = half step

A minor pentatonic scale on guitar

Standard tuning, frets 0–12. Filled circles are the root.

A minor pentatonic scale on the guitar fretboardEGACDEACDEGADEGACDGACDEGCDEGAEGACDE357912

A minor pentatonic scale on piano

A minor pentatonic scale on the piano keyboardCDEGACDEGA

Other scales from A

The same scale from other notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the A minor pentatonic scale?

A, C, D, E, G. Step formula: W+H–W–W–W+H–W (W = whole step, H = half step).

How do I practise it on guitar?

Every circle on the fretboard is a note of the scale up to fret 12; the filled circles mark the root (A). Start in one position (within 4–5 frets), root to root, slowly, with a metronome.

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Photos: Isak Photography, 42 North, Rachel Loughman, Vitaly Gariev, Vitaly Gariev, Isaac Martin / Unsplash