E Major Pentatonic Scale
The E major pentatonic scale contains E – F# – G# – B – C#. It is E major without its 4th (A) and 7th (D#), so it is usually written in the key signature of E major: 4 sharps: F#, C#, G# and D#.
E 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.
E major pentatonic vs E major
| Degree | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major | E | F# | G# | A | B | C# | D# |
| Pentatonic | E | F# | G# | – | B | C# | – |
A and D# are the two notes of E 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 C# minor pentatonic, which uses the same five keys starting from C#.
What E major pentatonic is used for
It is a go-to for melodies and solos in country, folk, pop and rock. Every note belongs to E major, so it fits over the chords in the key of E major, and with no half steps nothing clashes for long. Start and end phrases on E, G# or B, the notes of the E chord, to sound settled.
Notes and intervals
| Note | Degree | Interval from E | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | 1 | root | 0 |
| F# | 2 | major 2nd | 2 |
| G# | 3 | major 3rd | 4 |
| B | 5 | perfect 5th | 7 |
| C# | 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
E major has 4 sharps: F#, C#, G# and D#. The pentatonic plays E, F#, G#, B and C#, so A and D# simply never sound.
Chords using only these notes
Five notes leave room for few chords, so each of these can be played with E major pentatonic alone.
| Chord | Notes |
|---|---|
| E | E G# B |
| Esus2 | E F# B |
| Emaj6 | E G# B C# |
| F#sus2 | F# G# C# |
| F#sus4 | F# B C# |
| Bsus2 | B C# F# |
| Bsus4 | B E F# |
| C#m | C# E G# |
| C#m7 | C# E G# B |
| C#sus4 | C# F# G# |
More scales on E
Major Pentatonic scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the E major pentatonic scale?
The E major pentatonic scale contains E, F#, G#, B, C#, then returns to E an octave higher.
Which notes does E major pentatonic leave out of E major?
The 4th, A, and the 7th, D#. What remains is E, F#, G#, B, C#.
What is the relative minor pentatonic of E major pentatonic?
C# minor pentatonic. It uses the same five keys, with C# 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.