Bb Pentatonic Major

B flat Pentatonic scale for guitar.
The Bb Pentatonic Major is a five-note scale. The fingerboard diagram shows the scale notes with root notes in darker color. In the two-octave pattern, the first root note is on the 6th string, 6th fret.

Bb Pentatonic Major 2 octaves

Bb Pentatonic Major scale diagram

Bb Pentatonic Major full fretboard

Bb Pentatonic Major scale whole guitar neck diagram

Bb Pentatonic Major with note names

Bb Pentatonic Major scale with note letters diagram

Shape 1 (5th position)

Bb Pentatonic Major scale shape diagram 5th pos

Shape 5 (3rd position)

Bb Pentatonic Major scale shape diagram 3rd pos
Notes: Bb - C - D - F - G Intervals: 2 - 2 - 3 - 2 - 3 Type: Pentatonic
A Pentatonic Major scale  •  B Pentatonic Major scale

The scale and its scale degrees.

Formula Notes
1 Bb
2 C
3 D
5 F
6 G

The fourth degree is omitted, as well as the seventh, since the degrees are based on the regular Major seven-note scale.

The interval formula (2 - 2 - 3 - 2 - 3) can be expound into specific notes of the scale.

Notes (ascending) Interval
Bb-C M2
Bb-D M3
Bb-F P5
Bb-G M6
Notes (descending) Interval
Bb-G m3
Bb-F P4
Bb-D m6
Bb-C m7

Abbreviations are used: M / m stands for major / minor and P stands for perfect.

The notes in the scale can be described as intervals, written as 2 - 2 - 3 - 2 - 3 from the first note to the first in next octave.
The Bb Pentatonic Major is relative to G Pentatonic Minor. Both scales include the same notes but with different root notes.

Some of the chords that are related to this scale are listed here:

  • Bb
  • Cm7
  • Dm7
  • Fsus4
  • Gm

The tones in these chords correspond to the tones of the Bb Pentatonic Major scale. Notice that the match is not completely exact, the third (Eb) in Cm7 and the fifth (A) in Dm7 are not included in the scale.

Related to this scale is the Bb Pentatonic Major add4, adding the 4th degree. It can be displayed as follows:

Formula Notes Intervals Degrees
1 Bb Unison Tonic
2 C Major second Supertonic
3 D Major third Mediant
4 Eb Perfect fourth Subdominant
5 F Perfect fifth Dominant
6 G Sixth Submediant

The Bb Pentatonic Major add4 scale, is identical with the Bb Major except for missing the major 7th interval.

Start the audio and play along! Use notes from the scale in the diagram above.

Normal tempo:
Slow tempo:

B flat Pentatonic Major scale first shape ascending.

Bb Pentatonic Major scale tab

The numbers above the tablature are suggested fingerings.