B Major Pentatonic Scale
The B major pentatonic scale contains B – C# – D# – F# – G#. It is B major without its 4th (E) and 7th (A#), so it is usually written in the key signature of B major: 5 sharps: F#, C#, G#, D# and A#.
B 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.
B major pentatonic vs B major
| Degree | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major | B | C# | D# | E | F# | G# | A# |
| Pentatonic | B | C# | D# | – | F# | G# | – |
E and A# are the two notes of B 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 G# minor pentatonic (the same keys as Ab minor pentatonic), which uses the same five keys starting from G#.
What B major pentatonic is used for
It is a go-to for melodies and solos in country, folk, pop and rock. Every note belongs to B major, so it fits over the chords in the key of B major, and with no half steps nothing clashes for long. Start and end phrases on B, D# or F#, the notes of the B chord, to sound settled.
Notes and intervals
| Note | Degree | Interval from B | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | 1 | root | 0 |
| C# | 2 | major 2nd | 2 |
| D# | 3 | major 3rd | 4 |
| F# | 5 | perfect 5th | 7 |
| G# | 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
B major has 5 sharps: F#, C#, G#, D# and A#. The pentatonic plays B, C#, D#, F# and G#, so E and A# simply never sound.
Chords using only these notes
Five notes leave room for few chords, so each of these can be played with B major pentatonic alone.
| Chord | Notes |
|---|---|
| B | B D# F# |
| Bsus2 | B C# F# |
| Bmaj6 | B D# F# G# |
| C#sus2 | C# D# G# |
| C#sus4 | C# F# G# |
| F#sus2 | F# G# C# |
| F#sus4 | F# B C# |
| G#m | G# B D# |
| G#m7 | G# B D# F# |
| G#sus4 | G# C# D# |
More scales on B
Major Pentatonic scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the B major pentatonic scale?
The B major pentatonic scale contains B, C#, D#, F#, G#, then returns to B an octave higher.
Which notes does B major pentatonic leave out of B major?
The 4th, E, and the 7th, A#. What remains is B, C#, D#, F#, G#.
What is the relative minor pentatonic of B major pentatonic?
G# minor pentatonic. It uses the same five keys, with G# 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.