Pitch & Harmony
Pentatonic Scale
A five-note scale used across many musical traditions.
In plain English
Pentatonic means “five notes.” Major and minor pentatonic scales remove some of the notes found in seven-note scales, leaving a versatile set of pitches.
Try or listen for this
A minor pentatonic contains A, C, D, E, and G.
Why it matters
Pentatonic scales are widely used in melodies, riffs, fills, and improvisation because their notes fit many common harmonies.