D# Minor Six Pentatonic Ukulele Scale
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagram
D# Minor Six Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The D# Minor Six Pentatonic scale is a variation of the minor pentatonic that introduces a major sixth, giving it a Dorian flavor. On Ukulele, the notes are D#, F#, G#, A#, C. 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: D#, F#, G#, A#, C
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 D# Minor Six Pentatonic on Ukulele
On ukulele, find D# on the fret 2 area, and work through the scale within a four-fret span. With 5 notes, this scale fits neatly on the ukulele's short fretboard without requiring large stretches.
The D# Minor Six Pentatonic scale contains 4 sharps (D#, F#, G#, A#). 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 D# 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 D#. Try a D#5 - A#5 - C5 progression.
Ukulele Tips
The compact fretboard of the ukulele makes the D# Minor Six Pentatonic scale easy to visualize in a single position. Use this to your advantage by memorizing the scale shape relative to chord shapes you already know.
The D# Minor Six Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (D#, F#, G#, A#, C). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for D# Minor Six Pentatonic
The D# 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.
Explore D# Minor Six Pentatonic Further
- Harmonize the D# Minor Six Pentatonic scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- D# Minor Six Pentatonic on Guitar
- D# Minor Six Pentatonic on Bass
- D# Minor Six Pentatonic on Piano