G# Minor Six Pentatonic Tres Cubano Scale
Tres Cubano scale — fretboard diagram
G# Minor Six Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The G# Minor Six Pentatonic scale is a variation of the minor pentatonic that introduces a major sixth, giving it a Dorian flavor. On Tres Cubano, the notes are G#, B, C#, D#, F. 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: G#, B, C#, D#, F
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5
Formula: WH-W-W-W-WH
Number of notes: 5
How to Play G# Minor Six Pentatonic on Tres Cubano
Begin by locating G# on your instrument and play through the 5 notes of the Minor Six Pentatonic scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The G# Minor Six Pentatonic scale contains 3 sharps (G#, C#, D#). 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 G# Minor Six 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 G#. Try a G#5 - D#5 - F5 progression.
Tres Cubano Tips
Practice the G# Minor Six Pentatonic scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 5 notes before building speed.
The G# Minor Six Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (G#, B, C#, D#, F). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Tres Cubano with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for G# Minor Six Pentatonic
The G# Minor Six 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.