G Major Pentatonic Scale
The G major pentatonic scale contains G – A – B – D – E. It is G major without its 4th (C) and 7th (F#), so it is usually written in the key signature of G major: 1 sharp: F#. On the piano, G major pentatonic uses only white keys.
G 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.
G major pentatonic vs G major
| Degree | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major | G | A | B | C | D | E | F# |
| Pentatonic | G | A | B | – | D | E | – |
C and F# are the two notes of G 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 E minor pentatonic, which uses the same five keys starting from E.
What G major pentatonic is used for
It is a go-to for melodies and solos in country, folk, pop and rock. Every note belongs to G major, so it fits over the chords in the key of G major, and with no half steps nothing clashes for long. Start and end phrases on G, B or D, the notes of the G chord, to sound settled.
Notes and intervals
| Note | Degree | Interval from G | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | root | 0 |
| A | 2 | major 2nd | 2 |
| B | 3 | major 3rd | 4 |
| D | 5 | perfect 5th | 7 |
| E | 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
G major has 1 sharp: F#. The pentatonic plays G, A, B, D and E, so C and F# simply never sound.
Chords using only these notes
Five notes leave room for few chords, so each of these can be played with G major pentatonic alone.
| Chord | Notes |
|---|---|
| G | G B D |
| Gsus2 | G A D |
| Gmaj6 | G B D E |
| Asus2 | A B E |
| Asus4 | A D E |
| Dsus2 | D E A |
| Dsus4 | D G A |
| Em | E G B |
| Em7 | E G B D |
| Esus4 | E A B |
More scales on G
Major Pentatonic scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the G major pentatonic scale?
The G major pentatonic scale contains G, A, B, D, E, then returns to G an octave higher.
Which notes does G major pentatonic leave out of G major?
The 4th, C, and the 7th, F#. What remains is G, A, B, D, E.
What is the relative minor pentatonic of G major pentatonic?
E minor pentatonic. It uses the same five keys, with E 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.