Interactive piano keyboard showing Bb Minor Pentatonic scale degrees. Click highlighted keys to play.
The B♭ minor pentatonic (B♭, D♭, E♭, F, A♭) is a soulful, bluesy scale used in jazz, R&B, and rock. Its five notes create smooth, expressive lines that sit well on saxophone and wind instruments. It is the parent scale of the B♭ blues scale and a staple of jazz improvisation.
The minor pentatonic strips natural minor down to five notes, concentrating the minor 3rd and minor 7th — the two intervals that define rock and blues guitar. Nearly every iconic guitar riff uses these five notes.
The diatonic chords in Bb Minor Pentatonic are: Bbm, Db, Ebm, Fm, Abm. These are the chords built naturally from each degree of the scale.
What is the Minor Pentatonic?
The B♭ minor pentatonic (B♭, D♭, E♭, F, A♭) is a soulful, bluesy scale used in jazz, R&B, and rock. Its five notes create smooth, expressive lines that sit well on saxophone and wind instruments. It is the parent scale of the B♭ blues scale and a staple of jazz improvisation.
What notes are in the Bb Minor Pentatonic?
The Bb Minor Pentatonic contains the notes: Bb, Db, Eb, F, Ab. This is a 5-note scale starting from Bb.
How many chords does the Bb Minor Pentatonic have?
The Bb Minor Pentatonic produces 5 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: Bbm, Db, Ebm, Fm, Abm.
What is the formula for the Minor Pentatonic?
The Minor Pentatonic follows the interval formula: W+H-W-W-W+H-W (W = whole step, H = half step).
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Position in circle of fifths
Bb is at the 10 o'clock position. Related keys: F (dominant), Eb (subdominant), G (relative minor), C (supertonic), Ab (subtonic).