E major pentatonic scale
How to play the E major pentatonic scale
E Major pentatonicE · F♯ · G♯ · B · C♯ · E
Piano samples: Salamander Grand Piano (CC-BY 3.0)
E major pentatonic scale — notes and structure
The E major pentatonic scale is a five-note major scale that drops the two most dissonant notes — bright and endlessly singable.
The E major pentatonic scale consists of the notes E, G♭, A♭, B, D♭. Its interval structure is R–2–3–5–6 — the intervals from the root that give the scale its sound. This is the same scale you see in the interactive finder above, drawn on the piano keyboard with the root circled and every note labelled.
Its step pattern is whole · whole · whole-and-a-half · whole · whole-and-a-half — the shape that makes it the major pentatonic scale in any key.
Play the 5 notes E, G♭, A♭, B, D♭ in order from the root E; the interactive keyboard above lights up every note of the scale.
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the E major pentatonic scale?
- The E major pentatonic scale has the 5 notes E, G♭, A♭, B, D♭. It is a five-note major scale that drops the two most dissonant notes — bright and endlessly singable.
- How many notes are in the E major pentatonic scale?
- 5 notes: E, G♭, A♭, B, D♭.
- What is the major pentatonic scale used for?
- The major pentatonic scale is a five-note major scale that drops the two most dissonant notes — bright and endlessly singable — hear it and see it on the keyboard above.