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Pentatonic Scale

Introduction

Technically, a Pentatonic Scale is any scale with 5 notes. However, when people use the term ‘Pentatonic scale’ they are generally referring to the Major Pentatonic Scale.

The Major Pentatonic Scale is a very consonant & pleasant sounding scale. This is because:

Arranging the above notes in sequential order gives you the:

They are a good way of avoiding Avoid Notes. And, just like any other pre-existing scale, you can create modes out of the Major Pentatonic Scale by selecting a different root note.

Modes of the Pentatonic Scale

The below table summarises all 5 modes of the Major Pentatonic Scale, each using C as the root.

As I mentioned above, the Pentatonic Scale is often used to avoid Avoid Notes. In the key of C Major, the note ‘F’ (♮11) is an avoid note over the chords CMaj7 and C7; therefore we should avoid using any Pentatonic Scale which has the note ‘F’ in it over these two chords. However, ‘F’ is an available tension over a C7sus and a Cm7, so we can use such a scale over these chords. Similarly, A♭ (♭13) is NOT an available tension over a Cm7, so we cannot use any Pentatonic Scale which has the note A♭ in it over this chord.

ModeMajor Pentatonic ScaleNotesChordAvoid NoteBlues – Tonic Dominant
1C Maj PentC D E G ACMaj7 & C7NoneC7
(Tonic Dominant -allow♮11)
2B♭ Maj PentC D F G B♭C7sus & Cm7F
3A♭ Maj PentC E♭ F A♭ B♭C7susF & A♭
4F Maj PentC D F G AC7sus & Cm7F
5E♭ Maj Pent
(C minor Pent)
C E♭ F G B♭C7sus & Cm7F

(Aside: The Blues harmony is a little bit different. The ♮11 (F) IS an available tension over a C7 chord in a blues context. This is because Blues is a little bit ‘rougher’ and ‘bluesier’ and so a little bit of dissonance fits the style rather well. This is also because the dominant chord in a Blues does NOT necessarily function as a dominant chord – it can also function as a Tonic Dominant. There will be more on this in future lessons.)

Major Scale Harmony

The C Major Scale contains three naturally occurring Major Pentatonic Scales:

Below is a table summarising the Pentatonic scales which can be used over a II-V-I in C Major. Notice that the G Pentatonic Scale fits over all three chords.

ChordPossible Pentatonic ScalesNotesComment
Dm7C Maj PentC D E G ANo Avoid Notes
F Maj PentF G A C D
G Maj PentG A B D E
G7G Maj PentG A B D EC & F Maj Pent have note C (avoid note)
D♭ Maj PentD♭ E♭ F A♭ B♭
CMaj7C Maj PentC D E G AF Maj Pent has note F (avoid note)
F Maj PentF G A C D
G Maj PentG A B D E

Melodic Minor Harmony

The C melodic minor scale contains one naturally occurring Major Pentatonic Scale:

This scale can thus be used over any chord derived from the key of C melodic minor. This can then be expanded to cover the minor II-V-I (below).

ChordDm7♭5G7♭9CmMaj7
ScaleB♭ Maj PentD♭ Maj PentF Maj Pent

Note also that there are other Pentatonic Scales, including but not limited to:

I will cover these in future lessons.

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