F Minor Hexatonic Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
F Minor Hexatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The F Minor Hexatonic scale is a six-note scale that bridges the gap between the minor pentatonic and full modal scales. On Guitar, it contains the notes F, G, Ab, Bb, C, E. It has a soulful, minor character but offers more melodic flexibility, making it a common choice for blues and jazz-rock soloing. Commonly used in Blues, Jazz-Rock, R&B, Soul. Notable players include B.B. King, Albert King, John Mayer. Use over m7 chords and blues changes. More flexible than minor pentatonic but less complex than full Dorian.
Notes: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, E
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4P, 5P, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 6
Formula: W-H-W-W-4-H
Number of notes: 6
How to Play F Minor Hexatonic on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 1 on the 6th (low E) to find your F root note. Use a three-notes-per-string fingering to cover the full scale in one position, or learn the CAGED shapes to navigate the entire fretboard. An alternative starting point is 8th fret on the A string.
The F Minor Hexatonic scale contains 2 flats (Ab, Bb). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Practice the F Minor Hexatonic scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 80 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 6 notes of the scale.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on F to let the characteristic intervals of the Minor Hexatonic scale come through clearly.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, try playing the F Minor Hexatonic scale using legato technique (hammer-ons and pull-offs) to develop a smooth, connected sound. This is particularly effective for longer scale runs.
The F Minor Hexatonic scale contains 6 notes (F, G, Ab, Bb, C, E). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for F Minor Hexatonic
The F Minor Hexatonic 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 6-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 F Minor Hexatonic Further
- Harmonize the F Minor Hexatonic scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- F Minor Hexatonic on Ukulele
- F Minor Hexatonic on Bass
- F Minor Hexatonic on Piano
Explore F Minor Hexatonic in Other Tunings
- F Minor Hexatonic in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- F Minor Hexatonic in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- F Minor Hexatonic in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- F Minor Hexatonic in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- F Minor Hexatonic in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- F Minor Hexatonic in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- F Minor Hexatonic in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- F Minor Hexatonic in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- F Minor Hexatonic in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- F Minor Hexatonic in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- F Minor Hexatonic in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- F Minor Hexatonic in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- F Minor Hexatonic in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- F Minor Hexatonic in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)