A# Minor Six Pentatonic Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open C tuning — fretboard diagram
A# Minor Six Pentatonic in Open C — Notes and Intervals
The A# 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 A#, C#, D#, F, G. 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: A#, C#, D#, F, G
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5
Formula: WH-W-W-W-WH
Number of notes: 5
Tuning: Open C (C-G-C-G-C-E)
About Open C Tuning
Open C tuning (C-G-C-G-C-E) produces a C major chord when strummed open, with an enormous bass depth from the low C string (two whole steps below standard E). The tuning spans a vast tonal range that gives compositions an almost orchestral scope, making it a favorite for both delicate fingerstyle and crushing heavy music.
John Butler's 'Ocean' — one of the most famous modern fingerstyle compositions — is performed in Open C, showcasing the tuning's incredible dynamic range from thundering bass to shimmering harmonics. Devin Townsend uses Open C extensively across his catalog for its massive, wall-of-sound potential. Jimmy Page used it on Led Zeppelin's 'Friends' from Led Zeppelin III. Soundgarden also explored Open C. The three C strings and two G strings create powerful octave resonances that make even simple chord shapes sound huge.
Notable artists: John Butler, Devin Townsend, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Soundgarden, William Ackerman
Best for: Cinematic fingerstyle compositions, progressive metal walls of sound, post-rock textures, and any music that needs enormous tonal range from deep bass to bright treble
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
- A# Minor Six Pentatonic in Standard Tuning
- A# Minor Six Pentatonic in Drop D
- A# Minor Six Pentatonic in DADGAD
- A# Minor Six Pentatonic in Open G
- A# Minor Six Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard)
- A# Minor Six Pentatonic in 7-string
- A# Minor Six Pentatonic in 8-string
- A# Minor Six Pentatonic in Drop C
- A# Minor Six Pentatonic in Drop B
- A# Minor Six Pentatonic in Open D
- A# Minor Six Pentatonic in Half Step Down
- A# Minor Six Pentatonic in Open E
- A# Minor Six Pentatonic in Open A
- A# Minor Six Pentatonic in Double Drop D