B Minor Pentatonic guitar scales for left-handed players: what is this and how to play in all positions. Convenient tabs and charts next.
B Minor Pentatonic scale is a 5-note sequence in a minor tone with a primary root note B. These notes are played in a specific order, going up and down in a pattern.
Scale Info:
- Notes: B, D, E, F#, and A
- Degrees: 1, b3, 4, 5, and b7
- Tone Intervals: 3 (tone and half), 2 (tone), 2 (tone), 3 (tone and half), 2 (tone)
- Relative Scale: D Major Pentatonic
This how looks B Minor Pentatonic on one 6th string:
The scale starts on the 8th fret of the 6th string with a main root note B (1st degree), next on the 10th fret D (3rd flat degree, b3), next on the 12th fret E (4th degree), next on the 14th fret F# (5th degree), and on the 17th fret A (7th flat degree, b7).
How to Play Left-Handed B Minor Pentatonic Scale
B Minor Pentatonic has many positions and patterns on the guitar neck. To better memorize and practice scales divide them into “box” patterns. These patterns are played within 4-5 frets and no more than 3 notes per string.
Box patterns are comfortable to play cause your right hand is in one position and moved just up and down. Also, it’s good for practicing your technique by using all fingers.
All “boxes” start from the 6th string.
Symbols on charts:
Tip: When you practice scales try to use all fingers. To play accurately and quickly your hand and finger movement should be compact.
B Minor Pentatonic Left-Handed
Scale positions are determined with a note at which the pattern begins, not with a number fret.
The scale can begin on different strings. In guitar playing it is common to start on the 6th string, E low. This is where the scale patterns will start.
1st box pattern:
First B Minor Pentatonic box pattern built from 1st degree, it main root note B:
- B, D, E, F#, and A
The B note on the 6th string is at the 7th and 19th frets. Therefore, the 1st box has two positions only in different octaves.
This 1st box pattern begins on the 7th fret:
This 1st box pattern begins on the 19th fret:
2nd box pattern:
Second B Minor Pentatonic box pattern built from the 3rd-flat degree, it note D:
- B, D, E, F#, and A
The D note on the 6th string is at the 10th and 22nd frets. Therefore, the 2nd box has two positions only in different octaves.
This 2nd box pattern begins on the 10th fret:
This 2nd box pattern begins on 22nd fret:
3rd box pattern:
Third B Minor Pentatonic box pattern built from the 4th degree, it note E:
- B, D, E, F#, and A
The E note on the 6th string is at the open string and on the 12th fret. But 3rd box pattern is only on the 12th fret, cause the scale box does not fit in an open position.
This 3rd box pattern begins on 12th fret:
4th box pattern:
Fourth B Minor Pentatonic box pattern built from the 5th degree, it note F-sharp:
- B, D, E, F#, and A
The F-sharp note on the 6th string is at the 2nd and 14th frets. Therefore, the 4th box has two positions only in different octaves.
This 4th box pattern begins on 2nd fret:
This 4th box pattern begins on 14th fret:
5th box pattern:
Fifth B Minor Pentatonic box pattern built from the 7th-flat degree, it note A:
- B, D, E, F#, and A
The A note on the 6th string is at the 5th and 17th frets. Therefore, the 5th box has two positions only in different octaves.
This 5th box pattern begins on 5th fret:
This 5th box pattern begins on 17th fret:
