A Major Pentatonic Scale
The A major pentatonic scale contains A – B – C# – E – F#. It is A major without its 4th (D) and 7th (G#), so it is usually written in the key signature of A major: 3 sharps: F#, C# and G#.
A major pentatonic scale chart
Pentatonic and blues scales have no standard book fingering, so none is shown here. Pick fingers that keep your thumb off the black keys.
A major pentatonic vs A major
| Degree | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major | A | B | C# | D | E | F# | G# |
| Pentatonic | A | B | C# | – | E | F# | – |
D and G# are the two notes of A major that sit a half step from a neighbour. Without them the scale has no half steps at all, which is why it is so hard to play a wrong note with it. Its relative is F# minor pentatonic, which uses the same five keys starting from F#.
What A major pentatonic is used for
It is a go-to for melodies and solos in country, folk, pop and rock. Every note belongs to A major, so it fits over the chords in the key of A major, and with no half steps nothing clashes for long. Start and end phrases on A, C# or E, the notes of the A chord, to sound settled.
Notes and intervals
| Note | Degree | Interval from A | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1 | root | 0 |
| B | 2 | major 2nd | 2 |
| C# | 3 | major 3rd | 4 |
| E | 5 | perfect 5th | 7 |
| F# | 6 | major 6th | 9 |
Step pattern
The major pentatonic scale is built from the pattern W – W – W+H – W – W+H (W = whole step, H = half step, W+H = three semitones). Apply that pattern from any starting note and you get the same scale in a different key.
Key signature
A major has 3 sharps: F#, C# and G#. The pentatonic plays A, B, C#, E and F#, so D and G# simply never sound.
Chords using only these notes
Five notes leave room for few chords, so each of these can be played with A major pentatonic alone.
| Chord | Notes |
|---|---|
| A | A C# E |
| Asus2 | A B E |
| Amaj6 | A C# E F# |
| Bsus2 | B C# F# |
| Bsus4 | B E F# |
| Esus2 | E F# B |
| Esus4 | E A B |
| F#m | F# A C# |
| F#m7 | F# A C# E |
| F#sus4 | F# B C# |
More scales on A
Major Pentatonic scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the A major pentatonic scale?
The A major pentatonic scale contains A, B, C#, E, F#, then returns to A an octave higher.
Which notes does A major pentatonic leave out of A major?
The 4th, D, and the 7th, G#. What remains is A, B, C#, E, F#.
What is the relative minor pentatonic of A major pentatonic?
F# minor pentatonic. It uses the same five keys, with F# as its tonic.
What is the step pattern of the major pentatonic scale?
It follows the pattern W – W – W+H – W – W+H, where W is a whole step (two semitones), H is a half step (one semitone) and W+H is three semitones.