F Minor Pentatonic guitar scales for left-handed players: what is this and how to play in all positions. Convenient tabs and charts next.
F Minor Pentatonic scale is a 5-note sequence in a minor tone with a primary root note F. These notes are played in a specific order, going up and down in a pattern.
Scale Info:
- Notes: F, Ab, Bb, C, and Eb
- 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: Ab Major Pentatonic
This how looks F Minor Pentatonic on one 6th string:
The scale starts on the 1st fret of the 6th string with a main root note F (1st degree), next on the 4th fret Ab (3rd flat degree, b3), next on the 6th fret Bb (4th degree), next on the 8th fret C (5th degree), and on the 11th fret Eb (7th flat degree, b7). After the 12th fret the scale is repeated and starts on the 13th fret.
How to Play Left-Handed F Minor Pentatonic Scale
F 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.
F 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 F Minor Pentatonic box pattern built from 1st degree, it main root note F:
- F, Ab, Bb, C, and Eb
The F note on the 6th string is on the 1st fret and on the 13th fret. Therefore, the 1st box has two positions only in different octaves.
This 1st box pattern begins on the 1st fret:
This 1st box pattern begins on the 13th fret:
2nd box pattern:
Second F Minor Pentatonic box pattern built from the 3rd-flat degree, it note A-flat:
- F, Ab, Bb, C, and Eb
The A-flat note on the 6th string is on the 4th and 16th fret. Therefore, the 2nd box has two positions only in different octaves.
This 2nd box pattern begins on the 4th fret:
This 2nd box pattern begins on 16th fret:
3rd box pattern:
Third F Minor Pentatonic box pattern built from the 4th degree, it note B-flat:
- F, Ab, Bb, C, and Eb
The B-flat note on the 6th string is on the 6th and 18th fret. Therefore, the 3rd box has two positions only in different octaves.
This 3rd box pattern begins on 6th fret:
This 3rd box pattern begins on 18th fret:
4th box pattern:
Fourth F Minor Pentatonic box pattern built from the 5th degree, it note C:
- F, Ab, Bb, C, and Eb
The C note on the 6th string is on the 8th and 20th fret. Therefore, the 4th box has two positions only in different octaves.
This 4th box pattern starts on 8th fret:
This 4th box pattern starts on 20th fret:
5th box pattern:
Fifth F Minor Pentatonic box pattern built from the 7th-flat degree, it note E-flat:
- F, Ab, Bb, C, and Eb
The E-flat note on the 6th string is on the 11th and 23rd fret. 5th box pattern was only on the 11th fret, since the fingerboard has only 24 frets, the box does not fit on the 23rd.
This 5th box pattern begins on 11th fret:
