B Minor Hexatonic Mandolin Scale
Mandolin scale — fretboard diagramIntermediate
B Minor Hexatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The B Minor Hexatonic scale is a six-note scale that bridges the gap between the minor pentatonic and full modal scales. On Mandolin, it contains the notes B, C#, D, E, F#, A#. It has a soulful, minor character but offers more melodic flexibility, making it a common choice for blues and jazz-rock soloing. Commonly used in Blues, Jazz-Rock, R&B, Soul. Notable players include B.B. King, Albert King, John Mayer. Use over m7 chords and blues changes. More flexible than minor pentatonic but less complex than full Dorian.
Notes: B, C#, D, E, F#, A#
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4P, 5P, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 6
Formula: W-H-W-W-4-H
Number of notes: 6
Musical Character
Bridges the gap between the 5-note minor pentatonic and full 7-note modes — adds one note that provides extra melodic flexibility while maintaining the blues feel.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Blues, Jazz-Rock, R&B, Soul
Notable players: B.B. King, Albert King, John Mayer
How to Use the B Minor Hexatonic Scale
Use over m7 chords and blues changes. More flexible than minor pentatonic but less complex than full Dorian.
Origin & Background
A practical blues scale that adds melodic depth to the minor pentatonic without the full complexity of 7-note scales.
How to Play B Minor Hexatonic on Mandolin
Begin by locating B on your instrument and play through the 6 notes of the Minor Hexatonic scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The B Minor Hexatonic scale contains 3 sharps (C#, F#, A#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the B Minor Hexatonic scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (B-D, C#-E) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on B to let the characteristic intervals of the Minor Hexatonic scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in r&b contexts.
Mandolin Tips
Practice the B Minor Hexatonic scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 6 notes before building speed. Aim for a soulful quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The B Minor Hexatonic scale contains 6 notes (B, C#, D, E, F#, A#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Mandolin with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for B Minor Hexatonic
The B Minor Hexatonic scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 6-note pentatonic scale, 2-notes-per-string patterns are the most ergonomic way to traverse the fretboard. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore B Minor Hexatonic Further
- Browse chord progressions
- B Minor Hexatonic on Guitar
- B Minor Hexatonic on Ukulele
- B Minor Hexatonic on Bass
- B Minor Hexatonic on Piano