Minor Pentatonic Scales on Piano
The minor pentatonic scale is the backbone of blues, rock, and popular music improvisation. Built from five notes of the natural minor scale (removing the 2nd and 6th degrees), it produces a dark, soulful sound with no harsh dissonances. It is the first scale most guitarists learn to solo with — and equally powerful on piano.
Formula: WH–W–W–WH–W (whole+half–whole–whole–whole+half–whole)
Intervals: P1–m3–P4–P5–m7–P8
Scale degrees: 1–♭3–4–5–♭7
Sound: Bluesy, soulful, dark, gritty
Also known as: The blues scale without the blue note (♭5)
From minor pentatonic to blues: Add the ♭5 (the "blue note") between the 4th and 5th degrees and you get the six-note blues scale. The minor pentatonic is the skeleton; the blue note is the soul.
Minor Pentatonic Scale in All 18 Keys
Select any key to see the full scale with notes, fingering, audio, and practice tips.
C Minor Pentatonic Scale
C# Minor Pentatonic Scale
Db Minor Pentatonic Scale
D Minor Pentatonic Scale
D# Minor Pentatonic Scale
Eb Minor Pentatonic Scale
E Minor Pentatonic Scale
F Minor Pentatonic Scale
F# Minor Pentatonic Scale
Gb Minor Pentatonic Scale
G Minor Pentatonic Scale
G# Minor Pentatonic Scale
Ab Minor Pentatonic Scale
A Minor Pentatonic Scale
A# Minor Pentatonic Scale
Bb Minor Pentatonic Scale
B Minor Pentatonic Scale
Cb Minor Pentatonic Scale