C♯ Major Pentatonic Scale (C#, Db)
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: 7 sharps: F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E# and B#. It uses the same piano keys as Db major pentatonic, spelled Db – Eb – F – Ab – Bb.
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 (the same keys as Bb 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 7 sharps: F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E# and B#. 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# |
| C#sus2 | C# D# G# |
| C#maj6 | C# E# G# A# |
| D#sus2 | D# E# A# |
| D#sus4 | D# G# A# |
| G#sus2 | G# A# D# |
| G#sus4 | G# C# D# |
| A#m | A# C# E# |
| A#m7 | A# C# E# G# |
| A#sus4 | 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.