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D Minor Pentatonic Scale

Also known as: Five-Note Minor Scale, Rock Scale

Raw, powerful, and soulful. The backbone of blues and rock music.

D Minor Pentatonic Scale Notes

D1
F♭3
G4
A5
C♭7
D8

Notes: D - F - G - A - C - D

Scale Formula & Intervals

Interval Pattern

m3-W-W-m3-W

W = Whole step (2 semitones), H = Half step (1 semitone)

Scale Degrees

1 - ♭3 - 4 - 5 - ♭7

Scale degrees relative to the root note

Semitones from Root

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Famous Songs Using This Scale

1

Smoke on the Water

Deep Purple

2

Black Dog

Led Zeppelin

3

Purple Haze

Jimi Hendrix

Practice Tips for D Minor Pentatonic Scale

  • The most important scale for rock and blues guitar
  • Learn the 5 box patterns across the fretboard
  • Works over both minor AND major blues progressions
  • Add the blue note (♭5) to get the blues scale

Common Genres

BluesRockMetalPopR&BSoul