Degrees and intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval from the tonic |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | root |
| 2 | B | major second |
| 3 | C♯ | major third |
| 5 | E | perfect fifth |
| 6 | F♯ | major sixth |
From one note to the next, the scale moves like this: T – T – T½ – T – T½ (T = whole step, S = half step, T½ = step and a half). That pattern is the same in every key: once you learn it, you can build the major pentatonic scale from any note.
How to practice this scale
- Play it slowly with a metronome, one note per beat, and only speed up once it sounds even.
- Sing the note names while you play it: that way you train your ear and your memory at the same time.
- On guitar, learn it in “boxes”: five positions that repeat along the neck. Start with the one that has the tonic on the 6th string.
- Improvise over a backing track or a single chord: with these notes almost nothing sounds “wrong”, so it's ideal for losing your fear.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the A major pentatonic scale?
The A major pentatonic scale has 5 notes: A – B – C♯ – E – F♯. Its formula is T – T – T½ – T – T½ (T = whole step, S = half step, T½ = one and a half steps).
What is the relative minor of A major pentatonic?
It is F-sharp minor pentatonic: they have exactly the same notes, but start on different scale degrees. The relative minor is a minor third lower.