The minor 6 pentatonic scale on bass:
notes, formula and position

The minor 6 pentatonic scale has 5 notes: 1 ♭3 4 5 6. In A, that gives A, C, D, E and F♯. The minor pentatonic with the major sixth instead of the seventh: a Dorian color in five notes, very useful in funk and jazz over m6 and m7 chords.

Also called: Minor 6 pentatonic, Dorian pentatonic, minor sixth pentatonic.

Formula and notes

1 ♭3 4 5 6

The steps between the notes, from the root to the octave: step and a half – whole step – whole step – whole step – step and a half. In A:

One position on the neck

The minor 6 pentatonic scale in A, in the 5th-fret position: one finger per fret, from the 4th to the 8th fret, on all four strings. The numbers are the degrees; the root is in gold.

The same position as bass tab (fret by fret, from the low E string to the G string):

G|-5--7-|
D|-4--7-|
A|-5--7-|
E|-5--8-|

For another key, move the whole shape: the root on the E string sets the key (3rd fret for G, 8th fret for C).

The sound of the minor 6 pentatonic scale

Minor pentatonic with the 6 in place of the ♭7. A Dorian color without the ♭7: also works over melodic minor.

You mostly hear it in jazz, funk and soul.

Which chords to play it over

In A, the minor 6 pentatonic scale fits Am6 and Am13. On bass, keep the root on the strong beats and use the other notes to connect the chords.

Neighbouring scales

These scales differ from the minor 6 pentatonic scale by a single note. Comparing them lets you hear exactly what that note brings.

• The Kumoi scale: 2 instead of 4.
• The Yo scale: 2 instead of ♭3.
• The minor pentatonic scale: ♭7 instead of 6.

Practice it with UnitBasse

This diagram shows a single position, in a single key. In UnitBasse, this scale is shown across the whole neck and in all twelve keys, as note names, intervals or degrees, with one color per degree. You can listen to it, see the chords that go with it, switch keys in one click, and play it over a chord chart with BackTrack, the app’s backing band. The app has 69 scales in 12 families.

Frequently asked questions