Interactive piano keyboard showing A Major Pentatonic scale degrees. Click highlighted keys to play.
The A major pentatonic (A, B, C♯, E, F♯) is a versatile scale for rock, pop, and country lead playing. Its five notes create universally pleasing melodies that work over A major chord progressions. It omits D and G♯, eliminating the half-step intervals that can clash in improvisation.
Omitting the 4th and 7th from the major scale removes all half-step dissonance, leaving only consonant intervals. The major 3rd and major 6th give it a sweet, open sound — nearly any note combination works, making it universally pleasing.
The diatonic chords in A Major Pentatonic are: A, Bm, C#m, Em, F#m. These are the chords built naturally from each degree of the scale.
What is the Major Pentatonic?
The A major pentatonic (A, B, C♯, E, F♯) is a versatile scale for rock, pop, and country lead playing. Its five notes create universally pleasing melodies that work over A major chord progressions. It omits D and G♯, eliminating the half-step intervals that can clash in improvisation.
What notes are in the A Major Pentatonic?
The A Major Pentatonic contains the notes: A, B, C#, E, F#. This is a 5-note scale starting from A.
How many chords does the A Major Pentatonic have?
The A Major Pentatonic produces 5 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: A, Bm, C#m, Em, F#m.
What is the formula for the Major Pentatonic?
The Major Pentatonic follows the interval formula: W-W-W+H-W-W+H (W = whole step, H = half step).
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Position in circle of fifths
A is at the 3 o'clock position. Related keys: E (dominant), D (subdominant), F# (relative minor), B (supertonic), G (subtonic).