F Minor Six Pentatonic Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open A tuning — fretboard diagram
F Minor Six Pentatonic in Open A — Notes and Intervals
The F Minor Six Pentatonic scale is a variation of the minor pentatonic that introduces a major sixth, giving it a Dorian flavor. On Guitar, the notes are F, Ab, Bb, C, D. It is more sophisticated and soulful than the standard minor pentatonic and is frequently used in jazz and fusion to outline minor chords with a brighter edge. Commonly used in Jazz, Fusion, Neo-Soul, R&B. Notable players include Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Erykah Badu. Use over m6, m7, mMaj7 chords. Adds a jazz sophistication to minor chord soloing without fully committing to a 7-note scale.
Notes: F, Ab, Bb, C, D
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5
Formula: WH-W-W-W-WH
Number of notes: 5
Tuning: Open A (E-A-E-A-C#-E)
About Open A Tuning
Open A tuning (E-A-E-A-C#-E) produces an A major chord when strummed open. It is structurally identical to Open G tuned up one whole step, delivering a brighter, more tense sound that works particularly well for slide guitar centered on the key of A.
Jimmy Page used Open A with a slide on Led Zeppelin's 'In My Time of Dying' from Physical Graffiti (1975). Rory Gallagher also employed Open A for his raw, energetic slide work. Many players achieve Open A by simply placing a capo at the 2nd fret in Open G tuning, which is why dedicated Open A usage is less commonly discussed. However, without a capo, Open A gives direct access to the open A string resonance and a different feel under the fingers due to the higher tension.
Notable artists: Jimmy Page, Rory Gallagher, Delta blues players
Best for: Slide guitar in the key of A, blues playing, and situations where you need the brightness of Open G tuned up without a capo
Musical Character
By replacing the b7 of the minor pentatonic with a natural 6th, this scale gains a Dorian flavor — brighter and more sophisticated than standard minor pentatonic.
Chord Progressions Using This Scale
- vi – viM7 – vi7 – II (Descending Minor Cliché)Classical / Pop — Romance & Intrigue
- iv – ♭VII – I (Backdoor Cadence)Jazz / Soul — Soulful & Unexpected
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- F Minor Six Pentatonic in Standard Tuning
- F Minor Six Pentatonic in Drop D
- F Minor Six Pentatonic in DADGAD
- F Minor Six Pentatonic in Open G
- F Minor Six Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard)
- F Minor Six Pentatonic in 7-string
- F Minor Six Pentatonic in 8-string
- F Minor Six Pentatonic in Drop C
- F Minor Six Pentatonic in Drop B
- F Minor Six Pentatonic in Open D
- F Minor Six Pentatonic in Half Step Down
- F Minor Six Pentatonic in Open E
- F Minor Six Pentatonic in Double Drop D
- F Minor Six Pentatonic in Open C