A Minor #7m Pentatonic Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
A Minor #7m Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A Minor #7m Pentatonic scale is a minor pentatonic variation that includes a major seventh, echoing the tension of the melodic minor scale. On Guitar, the notes are A, C, D, E, G#. It is used to create a Minor-Major mystery, providing a simple but effective way to add a dark, classical tension to modern solos. Commonly used in Jazz, Film Scores, Classical. Notable players include Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock. Use over mMaj7, mMaj9 chords. Adds classical tension to modern minor-key solos.
Notes: A, C, D, E, G#
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5P, 7M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5
Formula: WH-W-W-4-H
Number of notes: 5
How to Play A Minor #7m Pentatonic on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 5 on the 6th (low E) to find your A root note. With only 5 notes, this scale fits comfortably in a two-notes-per-string pattern across all six strings. Focus on learning a single box shape first before connecting positions.
The A Minor #7m Pentatonic scale contains 1 sharp (G#). 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 A Minor #7m 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 A. Try a A5 - E5 - G#5 progression.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the A Minor #7m Pentatonic scale on a single string from the open position to the 12th fret. This trains your ear to hear the intervals linearly and helps with slide guitar applications.
The A Minor #7m Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (A, C, D, E, G#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for A Minor #7m Pentatonic
The A Minor #7m 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.
Explore A Minor #7m Pentatonic Further
- Harmonize the A Minor #7m Pentatonic scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- A Minor #7m Pentatonic on Ukulele
- A Minor #7m Pentatonic on Bass
- A Minor #7m Pentatonic on Piano
Explore A Minor #7m Pentatonic in Other Tunings
- A Minor #7m Pentatonic in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- A Minor #7m Pentatonic in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- A Minor #7m Pentatonic in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- A Minor #7m Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- A Minor #7m Pentatonic in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- A Minor #7m Pentatonic in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- A Minor #7m Pentatonic in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- A Minor #7m Pentatonic in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- A Minor #7m Pentatonic in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- A Minor #7m Pentatonic in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- A Minor #7m Pentatonic in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- A Minor #7m Pentatonic in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- A Minor #7m Pentatonic in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- A Minor #7m Pentatonic in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)