Major Pentatonic Scale
The major pentatonic scale is the major scale with the fourth and seventh removed. Taking out both half steps leaves five notes that never clash, which is why it is the safest scale to improvise with and the first one most players learn.
Major Pentatonic scale formula
- Formula
- W–W–W+H–W–W+H
Major Pentatonic scale in every key
- C Major Pentatonic
- C♯ Major Pentatonic
- D♭ Major Pentatonic
- D Major Pentatonic
- D♯ Major Pentatonic
- E♭ Major Pentatonic
- E Major Pentatonic
- F Major Pentatonic
- F♯ Major Pentatonic
- G♭ Major Pentatonic
- G Major Pentatonic
- G♯ Major Pentatonic
- A♭ Major Pentatonic
- A Major Pentatonic
- A♯ Major Pentatonic
- B♭ Major Pentatonic
- B Major Pentatonic
Other scale types
Frequently asked questions
What is the Major Pentatonic scale?
The major pentatonic scale is the major scale with the fourth and seventh removed. Taking out both half steps leaves five notes that never clash, which is why it is the safest scale to improvise with and the first one most players learn.
What is the formula for the Major Pentatonic scale?
The Major Pentatonic scale follows the step pattern W–W–W+H–W–W+H, where H is a half step and W is a whole step.
