Pentatonic scale: the 5-note scale, notes and sound
The major pentatonic scale has 5 notes: 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 of the major scale. Hear it, see it in all 12 keys, and learn why it never sounds wrong.
The pentatonic scale (major pentatonic) has 5 notes: degrees 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 of the major scale. C major pentatonic is C D E G A. It leaves out the 4th and 7th, the two notes a half step from their neighbours, so it has no half steps and almost any order of its notes sounds pleasant.
Listen: C pentatonic scale
C D E G A C
What is the formula of the pentatonic scale?
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Notes | 5 |
| Semitones from the tonic | 0, 2, 4, 7, 9, 12 |
| Step pattern | W-W-W+H-W-W+H |
What does the pentatonic scale sound like?
Open, simple and folk-like. The black keys of a piano form a pentatonic scale (G♭ A♭ B♭ D♭ E♭), which is why improvising on them always sounds good.
How to recognise it by ear
- No half steps: every step is either a whole step or a minor third.
- Many folk melodies around the world use it, from Scottish tunes to East Asian traditional music.
- Its relative minor pentatonic uses the same five notes starting from the 6th: A C D E G for C.
Spot the wrong note
Each scale below is a pentatonic scale with one note moved a half step. Find it by ear.
Score: / 3 (your score updates as you answer)
The pentatonic scale in all 12 keys
| Scale | Notes | Hear it |
|---|---|---|
| C pentatonic | C D E G A | |
| G pentatonic | G A B D E | |
| D pentatonic | D E F♯ A B | |
| A pentatonic | A B C♯ E F♯ | |
| E pentatonic | E F♯ G♯ B C♯ | |
| B pentatonic | B C♯ D♯ F♯ G♯ | |
| F♯ pentatonic | F♯ G♯ A♯ C♯ D♯ | |
| D♭ pentatonic | D♭ E♭ F A♭ B♭ | |
| A♭ pentatonic | A♭ B♭ C E♭ F | |
| E♭ pentatonic | E♭ F G B♭ C | |
| B♭ pentatonic | B♭ C D F G | |
| F pentatonic | F G A C D |
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the pentatonic scale?
Major pentatonic: degrees 1, 2, 3, 5, 6. C: C D E G A. G: G A B D E. D: D E F sharp A B.
Why does the pentatonic scale sound good?
It has no half steps, so no two notes clash strongly, and it keeps the most consonant intervals of the major scale.
Are the black keys a pentatonic scale?
Yes. The five black keys form G flat major pentatonic (or E flat minor pentatonic).
What is the difference between major and minor pentatonic?
Same notes, different home note. C major pentatonic (C D E G A) and A minor pentatonic (A C D E G) share all five notes.