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Major pentatonic

Scale

Major pentatonic

The bright, happy counterpart to the minor pentatonic. Five notes that work over major chords in country, pop and rock.

RootCBeginner1 2 3 5 6

01Fretboard

Positions on the neck

Position

Position 1 / frets 0 - 4

Intervals

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 5
  • 6

Example in C

C D E G A

Used in

  • Country
  • Pop
  • Rock
  • Blues

02Interactive

Play This Scale

Interactive

Play This Scale

Watch the notes light up in the order you should play them across the fretboard.

Key

Position

Display

Intervals in this scale

  • 1Root
  • 2Major second
  • 3Major third
  • 5Perfect fifth
  • 6Major sixth

Practice tip

Start slowly. Listen to how the root and characteristic intervals define the sound of the scale.

Show full note sequence
  1. 1. E (String 6, Fret 0)
  2. 2. G (String 6, Fret 3)
  3. 3. A (String 6, Fret 5)
  4. 4. A (String 5, Fret 0)
  5. 5. B (String 5, Fret 2)
  6. 6. D (String 5, Fret 5)
  7. 7. D (String 4, Fret 0)
  8. 8. E (String 4, Fret 2)
  9. 9. G (String 4, Fret 5)
  10. 10. G (String 3, Fret 0)
  11. 11. A (String 3, Fret 2)
  12. 12. B (String 3, Fret 4)
  13. 13. B (String 2, Fret 0)
  14. 14. D (String 2, Fret 3)
  15. 15. E (String 2, Fret 5)
  16. 16. E (String 1, Fret 0)
  17. 17. G (String 1, Fret 3)
  18. 18. A (String 1, Fret 5)

03Progressions

Common progressions in this scale

  • Pop

    I V vi IV

    C G Am F

    Optimistic, instantly familiar.

  • Blues

    I IV V

    A D E

    Twelve bar blues, the foundation of rock.

  • Modal

    i bVII bVI

    Am G F

    Cinematic, used in many film themes.

Preview

04Practice

Exercises to internalize this scale

  • Three notes per string

    Run the shape up and down using strict alternate picking.

    10 minutes

  • Target tones

    Land on the root or third of the underlying chord on beat one.

    10 minutes

  • Phrasing motifs

    Pick a three note motif and develop it across two octaves.

    10 minutes