Scale · 5 notes
D minor pentatonic scale — guitar notes & shapes
The D minor pentatonic scale is D, F, G, A, C. Five notes, no half steps: the minor pentatonic is the first scale most guitarists learn for soloing, because almost nothing in it sounds wrong over a minor or blues backing.
On the fretboard
Red = root (D). High e string on top, like tab. Numbers show the scale degree. Shaded area: position 1 (frets 10–13).
Notes and formula
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | root |
| ♭3 | F | minor 3rd |
| 4 | G | perfect 4th |
| 5 | A | perfect 5th |
| ♭7 | C | minor 7th |
Steps: W+H W W W+H W (W = whole step, H = half step).
Chords to play it over
Relative scale: F major pentatonic.
Home key: Dm.
Sound, styles and practice
Styles: Blues, rock, hard rock, funk and soul solos.
- Learn “box 1” (highlighted) first: root under your index on the low E string.
- Bend the 4th up a whole step to the 5th — the classic rock bend.
- Play over a slow jam track and end your phrases on the root.
Go further with the pentatonic scale guide and how to improvise.
FAQ
- What notes are in the D minor pentatonic scale?
- D minor pentatonic: D, F, G, A, C.
- Where do I play D minor pentatonic on the guitar?
- The easiest place is around fret 10, where D sits on the low E string (highlighted in the diagram). The same pattern repeats 12 frets higher.
- What is its relative scale?
- F major pentatonic — the same notes with a different home note.