F# Flat Six Pentatonic Bass Scale
Bass scale — fretboard diagram
F# Flat Six Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The F# Flat Six Pentatonic scale is a modern synthetic pentatonic used to imply the sound of the melodic minor system. On Bass, its notes are F#, G#, A#, C#, D. 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: F#, G#, A#, C#, D
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 F# Flat Six Pentatonic on Bass
On bass, locate F# on the E string at fret 2. This 5-note scale can be played across two strings without shifting, making it ideal for groove-based lines.
The F# Flat Six Pentatonic scale contains 4 sharps (F#, G#, A#, C#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the F# Flat Six Pentatonic scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (F#-A#, G#-C#) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in F#. Try a F#5 - C#5 - D5 progression.
Bass Tips
Practice the F# Flat Six Pentatonic scale on bass using only your index and ring fingers for a two-finger-per-string approach, then switch to one-finger-per-fret. Both techniques are essential for different musical situations.
The F# Flat Six Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (F#, G#, A#, C#, D). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for F# Flat Six Pentatonic
The F# 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.