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Major Pentatonic Scale

 

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Last updated on: 2009-08-19 4:16 PM

The 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.

The scale patterns below are referenced as numbers #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5 which you will find correspond directly with the chord patterns and reading positions of the same number.

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

The scales below are not shown in any particular key, they are patterns which can be moved around the guitar neck freely using the tonic (circled dot) as your navigator. See example below.

  • How to use
  • As an example, let's say you require a D major scale
  • After playing all the major scale patterns, you decide on pattern #2
  • Pattern #2 has it's root on the 5th string so you need to find the D note on this string
  • Click the notes on the neck chart tab and find the D note on the 5th fret (5th string)
  • Now play the D major scale using pattern #2 on the 5th fret
  • Use the Octave chart tab to help you remember which notes are where
  • Use the Scale chart help tab if your a beginner at reading scale charts
Major pentatonic scale pattern 1
Major pentatonic scale pattern 2
Major pentatonic scale pattern 3
Major pentatonic scale pattern 4
Major pentatonic scale pattern 5
Scale chart help
Notes on the guitar neck chart (lite version)
Octaves chart

Using octaves to learn notes on the guitar neck

  1. First determine which chord you require, let's use a B major chord in this example.
  2. We know the root note is B, (if it were an A major chord the root note would be A and for Cma7 it would be C, etc etc)
  3. Using the notes on the guitar neck chart, find the B note on the 6th string, 7th fret.
  4. Now using the major scale patterns chart, look for pattern #4 which has it's root note on the 6th string and play it, your done!
  5. Remember, learning and memorizing notes, chord voicings and scales in this way will improve your playing skills, theoretical knowledge and desirability as a band member.

Major Pentatonic Scale Audio Sample(s)

To download audio sample(s) for later listening, right click on the MP3 link, then from the context menu that appears select Save Target As (Internet Explorer) or Save Link As (Firefox).

Audio Sample Name Flash MP3
C Major Pentatonic Scale Pattern #3 c-major-pentatonic-scale-pattern-3.mp3

Related Lessons & Resources

External Resources