A major pentatonic scale is a five note scale (penta meaning five) with a numeric formula of 1-2-3-5-6-8/1 (no fourth or seventh degrees) and is widely used in country and western music, along with traditional music from around the world, although many use different variations of the pentatonic scale. While not as popular as it's cousin, the minor pentatonic scale, the major pentatonic is still widely used and is one of several scales a beginner will learn as it is easy to play and memorize.
Major pentatonic scale profile
| Numeric formula | 1-2-3-5-6-8/1 |
|---|---|
| Notation formula (key of C) | C-D-E-G-A-C/1 |
| Stepping | whole, whole, whole-plus-half, whole, whole-plus-half |
| Tonal | tone, tone, tone-plus-semitone, tone, tone-plus-semitone |
| Harmonized triads (key of C) | n/a |
| Harmonized tetrads (key of C) | n/a |
Major pentatonic scale patterns
Major pentatonic scale audio sample(s)
| C Major pentatonic scale pattern #3 |
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