F Major Pentatonic Scale
The F major pentatonic scale contains F – G – A – C – D. It is F major without its 4th (Bb) and 7th (E), so it is usually written in the key signature of F major: 1 flat: Bb. On the piano, F major pentatonic uses only white keys.
F 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.
F major pentatonic vs F major
| Degree | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major | F | G | A | Bb | C | D | E |
| Pentatonic | F | G | A | – | C | D | – |
Bb and E are the two notes of F 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 D minor pentatonic, which uses the same five keys starting from D.
What F major pentatonic is used for
It is a go-to for melodies and solos in country, folk, pop and rock. Every note belongs to F major, so it fits over the chords in the key of F major, and with no half steps nothing clashes for long. Start and end phrases on F, A or C, the notes of the F chord, to sound settled.
Notes and intervals
| Note | Degree | Interval from F | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | 1 | root | 0 |
| G | 2 | major 2nd | 2 |
| A | 3 | major 3rd | 4 |
| C | 5 | perfect 5th | 7 |
| D | 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
F major has 1 flat: Bb. The pentatonic plays F, G, A, C and D, so Bb and E simply never sound.
Chords using only these notes
Five notes leave room for few chords, so each of these can be played with F major pentatonic alone.
| Chord | Notes |
|---|---|
| F | F A C |
| Fsus2 | F G C |
| Fmaj6 | F A C D |
| Gsus2 | G A D |
| Gsus4 | G C D |
| Csus2 | C D G |
| Csus4 | C F G |
| Dm | D F A |
| Dm7 | D F A C |
| Dsus4 | D G A |
More scales on F
Major Pentatonic scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the F major pentatonic scale?
The F major pentatonic scale contains F, G, A, C, D, then returns to F an octave higher.
Which notes does F major pentatonic leave out of F major?
The 4th, Bb, and the 7th, E. What remains is F, G, A, C, D.
What is the relative minor pentatonic of F major pentatonic?
D minor pentatonic. It uses the same five keys, with D 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.