Eb Minor Pentatonic, Shape by Shape
The Eb minor pentatonic scale consists of Eb, Gb, Ab, Bb and Db. Five flats look intimidating on paper, but the fingering is exactly the same as in every other key.
Only the starting fret changes: the 11th fret on the low E string, or the 6th fret on the A string. The same five notes make up Gb major pentatonic. Tuning down a half step turns the open E minor shape into Eb minor, which is why this key shows up in rock and metal. Check how to finger scales comfortably before you speed up.
Play the Eb minor pentatonic scale
Use the step menu in the player to switch between the single-string run and the box shapes.
Notes of the Eb minor pentatonic scale
| Note | Degree | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eb | 1 | Root | 0 |
| Gb | b3 | Minor 3rd | 3 |
| Ab | 4 | Perfect 4th | 5 |
| Bb | 5 | Perfect 5th | 7 |
| Db | b7 | Minor 7th | 10 |
Structure
Eb minor pentatonic scale notes:
How the minor pentatonic scale is built:
The minor pentatonic scale is built from the degrees 1 b3 4 5 b7, which gives the step pattern W+H-W-W-W+H-W (W = whole step, H = half step).
Counting in semitones from the root: 0, 3, 5, 7, 10. That makes it a 5-note scale.
Eb Minor Pentatonic Scale Guitar Patterns
Static diagrams of every position shown in the player above.
On one string (D)
Box pattern — position 1
Box pattern — position 2
Box pattern — position 3
Box pattern — position 4
Box pattern — position 5
The minor pentatonic scale in other keys
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
