A major pentatonic scale on bass

The major pentatonic has only five notes: the major scale without the 4th and 7th degrees. With no half steps, it always sounds right: perfect for improvising in country, pop and rock.

On the whole neck

EADGEF♯ABC♯EABC♯EF♯AEF♯ABC♯ABC♯EF♯0123456789101112
EADGEF♯ABC♯EABC♯EF♯AEF♯ABC♯ABC♯EF♯0123456789101112

Position from fret 5

EADGABEAC♯5678
EADGABEAC♯5678

Root notes are filled. The position starts from the root on the 4th string (low E).

Notes of the scale

DegreeNoteInterval
1Aroot
2Bmajor second
3C♯ (C sharp)major third
4Eperfect fifth
5F♯ (F sharp)major sixth

Steps between notes: W – W – W+H – W – W+H (W = whole step, H = half step)

Relative scale: the F sharp minor pentatonic scale, with exactly the same notes.

Other A scales

The same scale in other keys