Interactive piano keyboard showing D Major Pentatonic scale degrees. Click highlighted keys to play.
The D major pentatonic (D, E, F♯, A, B) is a favourite of country and bluegrass lead guitar, where its open-string-friendly notes create melodic, singable solos. Its bright, open quality also suits folk and pop songwriting. The removed 4th and 7th degrees (G and C♯) are the most dissonant intervals in D major.
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 D Major Pentatonic are: D, Em, F#m, Am, Bm. These are the chords built naturally from each degree of the scale.
What is the Major Pentatonic?
The D major pentatonic (D, E, F♯, A, B) is a favourite of country and bluegrass lead guitar, where its open-string-friendly notes create melodic, singable solos. Its bright, open quality also suits folk and pop songwriting. The removed 4th and 7th degrees (G and C♯) are the most dissonant intervals in D major.
What notes are in the D Major Pentatonic?
The D Major Pentatonic contains the notes: D, E, F#, A, B. This is a 5-note scale starting from D.
How many chords does the D Major Pentatonic have?
The D Major Pentatonic produces 5 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: D, Em, F#m, Am, Bm.
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
D is at the 2 o'clock position. Related keys: A (dominant), G (subdominant), B (relative minor), E (supertonic), C (subtonic).