C Major Pentatonic Scale
The C major pentatonic scale contains C – D – E – G – A. It is C major without its 4th (F) and 7th (B), so it is usually written in the key signature of C major: no sharps or flats. On the piano, C major pentatonic uses only white keys.
C 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.
C major pentatonic vs C major
| Degree | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major | C | D | E | F | G | A | B |
| Pentatonic | C | D | E | – | G | A | – |
F and B are the two notes of C 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 A minor pentatonic, which uses the same five keys starting from A.
What C major pentatonic is used for
It is a go-to for melodies and solos in country, folk, pop and rock. Every note belongs to C major, so it fits over the chords in the key of C major, and with no half steps nothing clashes for long. Start and end phrases on C, E or G, the notes of the C chord, to sound settled.
Notes and intervals
| Note | Degree | Interval from C | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 1 | root | 0 |
| D | 2 | major 2nd | 2 |
| E | 3 | major 3rd | 4 |
| G | 5 | perfect 5th | 7 |
| A | 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
C major has no sharps or flats. The pentatonic plays C, D, E, G and A, so F and B simply never sound.
Chords using only these notes
Five notes leave room for few chords, so each of these can be played with C major pentatonic alone.
| Chord | Notes |
|---|---|
| C | C E G |
| Csus2 | C D G |
| Cmaj6 | C E G A |
| Dsus2 | D E A |
| Dsus4 | D G A |
| Gsus2 | G A D |
| Gsus4 | G C D |
| Am | A C E |
| Am7 | A C E G |
| Asus4 | A D E |
More scales on C
Major Pentatonic scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C major pentatonic scale?
The C major pentatonic scale contains C, D, E, G, A, then returns to C an octave higher.
Which notes does C major pentatonic leave out of C major?
The 4th, F, and the 7th, B. What remains is C, D, E, G, A.
What is the relative minor pentatonic of C major pentatonic?
A minor pentatonic. It uses the same five keys, with A 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.