B Flat Six Pentatonic Tres Cubano Scale
Tres Cubano scale — fretboard diagram
B Flat Six Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The B Flat Six Pentatonic scale is a modern synthetic pentatonic used to imply the sound of the melodic minor system. On Tres Cubano, its notes are B, C#, D#, F#, G. It provides a poignant and slightly altered texture to major melodies, making it a favorite for contemporary jazz players looking for fresh melodic paths. Commonly used in Contemporary Jazz, Fusion, Post-Bop. Notable players include Pat Metheny, Kurt Rosenwinkel. Use over Maj7, mMaj7, and altered dominant chords. A modern jazz tool for fresh melodic paths.
Notes: B, C#, D#, F#, G
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 5P, 6m
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 b5
Formula: W-W-WH-H-4
Number of notes: 5
How to Play B Flat Six Pentatonic on Tres Cubano
Begin by locating B on your instrument and play through the 5 notes of the Flat Six Pentatonic scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The B Flat Six Pentatonic scale contains 3 sharps (C#, D#, F#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the B Flat Six Pentatonic scale in groups of four notes, shifting the starting note each repetition. This builds muscle memory across the entire scale range. After a week, try improvising short 4-bar phrases using only these notes.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in B. Try a B5 - F#5 - G5 progression.
Tres Cubano Tips
Practice the B Flat Six Pentatonic scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 5 notes before building speed.
The B Flat Six Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (B, C#, D#, F#, G). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Tres Cubano with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for B Flat Six Pentatonic
The B Flat Six Pentatonic 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 5-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.