B Minor Pentatonic Scale On Guitar
The B minor pentatonic scale is a 5 note scale that is derived from the B minor scale.
Here you will find all 5 scale shapes, the correct fingerings, best picking for speed & accuracy and the notes of the scale so you will be able to easily play the scale and understand what's going on musically.
Bm is a very popular key for rock and metal so if you're into these styles you'll want to learn the Bm pentatonic scale well.
Click the tabs below to learn the various shapes and how they fit together across the fretboard.
Notes of B minor Pentatonic Scale Guitar
Like all guitar scales, the notes span across the entire fretboard and fit together like a puzzle. At first glance it may seem a bit overwhelming. However, there are a lots of tricks for how to get them all memorized, easily change keys, and even break out of the box patterns.
What Are the 5 notes in the B minor pentatonic scale?
There are 5 notes that Bm pentatonic scale (hence penta). For Bm these notes are B D E F# A. See the scale diagrams and fretboard above to see how these correlates to the fretboard.
Lets compare to the B minor scale to better understand whats going on:
B C# D E F# G A: B minor scale
B - D E F# - A: B minor pentatonic scale
Free Training
How to instantly solo in any key and break out of box position
What is the formula for the B minor pentatonic scale?
The B minor pentatonic formula consists of the 1 b3 4 5 b7 notes of the B minor scale it is derived from.
Here's an easy breakdown:
1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 : B minor scale
1 - b3 4 5 - b7 : B minor pentatonic scale
The 2nd and b6 scale degrees have been removed from the B minor scale thus creating the B minor pentatonic scale.
What is the easiest B minor pentatonic scale?
The first position for the B minor pentatonic scale is by far the easiest and most common. See break down of each shape above.
Is B minor pentatonic the same as D major pentatonic?
Yes actually! They share the exact same notes so when you play any B minor pentatonic scale you are also playing the D major pentatonic scale. What determines which scale you are playing is the chord progressions underneath as the lead guitarist will harmonize with the notes of the chords being played.
What songs use the B minor pentatonic scale?
Where this is one of the most popular keys especially for rock and metal there are 1000's. Here are a few big hitters:
- Thunderstruck - AC/DC
- Fade to Black, One - Metallica
- Comfortably Numb- Pink Floyd
- Shot in the Dark - Ozzy
** In the Guitar GPS Method I have 200+ charts that make it easy to learn full songs, see the song form, see the chord progression, what key the song is in. Click here to get on the waitlist for the next enrollment!
What chords work with the B minor pentatonic Scale?
The basic chords that the Bm pentatonic scale works well with Bm C#dim E F#m Em G A. You can also turn all these into power chords such as: B5 C#5 E5 F5 E5 G5 A5.
If you need help learning these chords check out the Chord Library!