C major pentatonic scale on piano

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 keyboard

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Numbers above the keys are the scale degrees; the root is filled.

Notes of the scale

DegreeNoteInterval
1Croot
2Dmajor second
3Emajor third
4Gperfect fifth
5Amajor sixth

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

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

Other C scales

The same scale in other keys