A# Minor Six Pentatonic Piano Scale
Piano scale diagramIntermediate
A# Minor Six Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A# Minor Six Pentatonic scale is a variation of the minor pentatonic that introduces a major sixth, giving it a Dorian flavor. On Piano, the notes are A#, C#, D#, F, G. It is more sophisticated and soulful than the standard minor pentatonic and is frequently used in jazz and fusion to outline minor chords with a brighter edge. Commonly used in Jazz, Fusion, Neo-Soul, R&B. Notable players include Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Erykah Badu. Use over m6, m7, mMaj7 chords. Adds a jazz sophistication to minor chord soloing without fully committing to a 7-note scale.
Notes: A#, C#, D#, F, G
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5
Formula: WH-W-W-W-WH
Number of notes: 5
Musical Character
By replacing the b7 of the minor pentatonic with a natural 6th, this scale gains a Dorian flavor — brighter and more sophisticated than standard minor pentatonic.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Jazz, Fusion, Neo-Soul, R&B
Notable players: Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Erykah Badu
How to Use the A# Minor Six Pentatonic Scale
Use over m6, m7, mMaj7 chords. Adds a jazz sophistication to minor chord soloing without fully committing to a 7-note scale.
Origin & Background
A jazz pentatonic derived from the Dorian mode, emphasizing the characteristic natural 6th.
How to Play A# Minor Six Pentatonic on Piano
On piano, the A# Minor Six Pentatonic scale uses 3 black keys. Start with your thumb on A# and use the black keys as landmarks for consistent finger placement. Standard major or minor fingering patterns apply.
The A# Minor Six Pentatonic scale contains 3 sharps (A#, C#, D#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Practice the A# Minor Six Pentatonic 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 5 notes of the scale.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in A#. Try a A#5 - F5 - G5 progression. This scale is especially effective in fusion contexts.
Piano Tips
On piano, practice the A# Minor Six Pentatonic scale hands together in contrary motion (one hand ascending, the other descending). This builds independence and strengthens your awareness of the scale's symmetry. Aim for a soulful quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
Minor Six Pentatonic is the Dorian-flavored pentatonic subset. View A# Dorian scale
The A# Minor Six Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (A#, C#, D#, F, G). Use the interactive piano diagram above to explore this scale on Piano.