A# Minor #7m Pentatonic Tres Cubano Scale
Tres Cubano 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 Tres Cubano, the notes are A#, C#, D#, F, A. 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#, F, A
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 Tres Cubano
Begin by locating A# on your instrument and play through the 5 notes of the Minor #7m Pentatonic scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The A# Minor #7m 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
Begin by playing the A# Minor #7m Pentatonic scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (A#-D#, C#-F) 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 A#. Try a A#5 - F5 - A5 progression.
Tres Cubano Tips
Practice the A# Minor #7m Pentatonic scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 5 notes before building speed.
The A# Minor #7m Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (A#, C#, D#, F, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Tres Cubano 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.