F♯ Major Pentatonic Scale (F#, Gb)
The F# major pentatonic scale contains F# – G# – A# – C# – D#. It is F# major without its 4th (B) and 7th (E#), so it is usually written in the key signature of F# major: 6 sharps: F#, C#, G#, D#, A# and E#. On the piano, F# major pentatonic uses only black keys. It uses the same piano keys as Gb major pentatonic, spelled Gb – Ab – Bb – Db – Eb.
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# | B | C# | D# | E# |
| Pentatonic | F# | G# | A# | – | C# | D# | – |
B 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 (the same keys as Eb 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 6 sharps: F#, C#, G#, D#, A# and E#. The pentatonic plays F#, G#, A#, C# and D#, so B 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# |
| F#sus2 | F# G# C# |
| F#maj6 | F# A# C# D# |
| G#sus2 | G# A# D# |
| G#sus4 | G# C# D# |
| C#sus2 | C# D# G# |
| C#sus4 | C# F# G# |
| D#m | D# F# A# |
| D#m7 | D# F# A# C# |
| D#sus4 | 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, B, 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.