F Flat Three Pentatonic Tres Cubano Scale
Tres Cubano scale — fretboard diagram
F Flat Three Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The F Flat Three Pentatonic scale is a relatively rare jazz pentatonic scale. On Tres Cubano, it contains the notes F, G, Ab, C, D. It is an effective tool for navigating blues changes, providing a unique way to differentiate between the different chords of a progression with a quirky, minor-key twist. Commonly used in Jazz, Blues, Experimental. Notable players include Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter. Use over m7, m7b5 chords. Effective for differentiating chords within a blues progression.
Notes: F, G, Ab, C, D
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 5P, 6M
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5
Formula: W-H-4-W-WH
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: kumoi
How to Play F Flat Three Pentatonic on Tres Cubano
Begin by locating F on your instrument and play through the 5 notes of the Flat Three Pentatonic scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The F Flat Three Pentatonic scale contains 1 flat (Ab). 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 Three Pentatonic scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (F-Ab, 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 F5 - C5 - D5 progression.
Tres Cubano Tips
Practice the F Flat Three Pentatonic scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 5 notes before building speed.
The F Flat Three Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (F, G, Ab, C, D). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Tres Cubano with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for F Flat Three Pentatonic
The F Flat Three 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.