Pentatonic Scale

Pentatonic Scale

Scale Musical Scale Musical Scale Diatonic Scale Anhemitonic Scale

The pentatonic scale is a five-note scale that avoids semitones, making it sound open, universal, and consonant. It is one of the oldest and most widely used scales globally.

Types

• **Major Pentatonic**: 1 – 2 – 3 – 5 – 6 (e.g., C – D – E – G – A)
• **Minor Pentatonic**: 1 – ♭3 – 4 – 5 – ♭7 (e.g., A – C – D – E – G)

Characteristics

• No half steps (anhemitonic)
• No tritones
• Easy to harmonize
• Common in African, Asian, Native American, and Celtic music

See also

• Musical Scale
• Diatonic Scale
• Blues Scale