6/5/22, 8:06 μ.μ. What Is the Pentatonic Scale?

Learn Music Theory - 2022 - MasterClass

What Are the Notes of the Major Pentatonic Scale?

The major pentatonic scale is a variation on a plain old major scale. A major scale has seven notes (which
makes it “hepatonic”). We call each of these notes a scale degree. In the major scale, the scale degrees are
very simple:

1-2-3-4-5-6-7

To put this in real world terms, consider the notes of a D major scale:

D - E - F# - G - A - B - C

This means that D is the first scale degree (also called the root), E is the second scale degree, F# is the third
scale degree, and so on.

In a major pentatonic scale, eliminate the 4th and 7th scale degrees. This leaves:

1-2-3-5-6

And therefore a D major pentatonic scale includes the following notes:

D - E - F# - A - B

What Are the Notes of the Minor Pentatonic Scale?

The minor pentatonic scale is a variation on the natural minor scale. Just like the major scale, the natural
minor scale has seven scale degrees. They are:

1 - 2 - b3 - 4 - 5 - b6 - b7

To put this in practical terms, consider a G natural minor scale. Its notes are:

G - A - Bb - C - D - Eb - F

This means G is the root, Bb is the flat third, D is the fifth, F is the flat 7th, and so on.

To turn a natural minor scale into a minor pentatonic scale, eliminate the 2nd and 6th scale degrees. This
leaves:

1 - b3 - 4 - 5 - b7

And as such, the Gm pentatonic scale contains the following notes:

G - Bb - C - D - F

How to Play the Pentatonic Scale

If you can play major and natural minor scales, then you can also play major and minor pentatonic scales.
Just remember:

A major pentatonic scale is a major scale minus the 4th and 7th scale degrees.
A minor pentatonic scale is a natural minor scale minus the 2nd and 6th degrees.

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6/5/22, 8:06 μ.μ. What Is the Pentatonic Scale? Learn Music Theory - 2022 - MasterClass

Here are some popular pentatonic scales:

C major pentatonic scale: C - D - E - G - A

F major pentatonic scale: F - G - A - C - D
A minor pentatonic scale: A - C - D - E - G
E minor pentatonic scale: E - G - A - B - D

While the pentatonic scale notes can be played in order, try leaping between notes, repeating the same note
more than once, and adding non-scale notes to write memorable melodies, riffs, and solos.

What Non-Scale Notes Can You Add To Pentatonic Scales?

To make your music interesting, you sometimes end up adding in some notes that aren’t in an official scale.
This is especially true of the pentatonic scale. Limiting yourself to only five notes is a guaranteed way to bore
your listener and stifle creativity. So try doing this instead:

In a major pentatonic scale, try adding in the 2nd scale degree (which is part of the major scale to begin
with). This can create a very pretty effect. And for something a little more gritty and bluesy, try adding
in a flat 3rd. Going from the flat third to the natural 5th (which is in the major pentatonic scale) is a
trick blues soloists use all the time.
In the minor pentatonic scale, try adding a flat 5th. Going from the flat 5th to the natural 5th is another
trick that’s guaranteed to add a ton of blues flavor to your playing. Also try adding a natural 6th. This
will produce the sound of the dorian mode, which is popular in all sorts of genres, from jazz to funk to
heavy metal.

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