Interactive piano keyboard showing D Minor Pentatonic scale degrees. Click highlighted keys to play.
The D minor pentatonic (D, F, G, A, C) is a brooding, bluesy scale that works well over D minor progressions in rock, pop, and jazz. It omits E and B, the two notes that most often clash in minor key contexts. D minor pentatonic is the basis for many classic rock and blues guitar solos.
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 D Minor Pentatonic are: Dm, F, Gm, Am, Cm. These are the chords built naturally from each degree of the scale.
What is the Minor Pentatonic?
The D minor pentatonic (D, F, G, A, C) is a brooding, bluesy scale that works well over D minor progressions in rock, pop, and jazz. It omits E and B, the two notes that most often clash in minor key contexts. D minor pentatonic is the basis for many classic rock and blues guitar solos.
What notes are in the D Minor Pentatonic?
The D Minor Pentatonic contains the notes: D, F, G, A, C. This is a 5-note scale starting from D.
How many chords does the D Minor Pentatonic have?
The D Minor Pentatonic produces 5 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: Dm, F, Gm, Am, Cm.
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
D is at the 2 o'clock position. Related keys: A (dominant), G (subdominant), B (relative minor), E (supertonic), C (subtonic).