Interactive piano keyboard showing B Major Pentatonic scale degrees. Click highlighted keys to play.
The B major pentatonic (B, C♯, D♯, F♯, G♯) is a bright, powerful scale favoured by rock and progressive guitarists for its high-energy melodic potential. Its five notes produce anthemic lines that work over B major progressions. It omits E and A♯, the notes that create the most tension in the full major scale.
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 B Major Pentatonic are: B, C#m, D#m, F#m, G#m. These are the chords built naturally from each degree of the scale.
What is the Major Pentatonic?
The B major pentatonic (B, C♯, D♯, F♯, G♯) is a bright, powerful scale favoured by rock and progressive guitarists for its high-energy melodic potential. Its five notes produce anthemic lines that work over B major progressions. It omits E and A♯, the notes that create the most tension in the full major scale.
What notes are in the B Major Pentatonic?
The B Major Pentatonic contains the notes: B, C#, D#, F#, G#. This is a 5-note scale starting from B.
How many chords does the B Major Pentatonic have?
The B Major Pentatonic produces 5 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: B, C#m, D#m, F#m, G#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
B is at the 5 o'clock position. Related keys: F# (dominant), E (subdominant), Ab (relative minor), C# (supertonic), A (subtonic).