E 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
Numbers above the keys are the scale degrees; the root is filled.
Notes of the scale
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | root |
| 2 | F♯ (F sharp) | major second |
| 3 | G♯ (G sharp) | major third |
| 4 | B | perfect fifth |
| 5 | C♯ (C sharp) | major sixth |
Steps between notes: W – W – W+H – W – W+H (W = whole step, H = half step)
Relative scale: the C sharp minor pentatonic scale, with exactly the same notes.