E Pentatonic Major Scale for Guitar
Key of E • Pentatonic Major Scale
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Guitar fretboard showing E pentatonic_major scale. Notes: E, F#, G#, B, C#. Position: full.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
e
E
F#
G#
B
C#
E
F#
G#
B
C#
B
B
C#
E
F#
G#
B
C#
E
F#
G#
G
G#
B
C#
E
F#
G#
B
C#
E
D
E
F#
G#
B
C#
E
F#
G#
B
A
B
C#
E
F#
G#
B
C#
E
F#
E
E
F#
G#
B
C#
E
F#
G#
B
C#
Tab Notation
e|----- 0---- 2---- 4---- 7---- 9----12----14----16----19----21-----|
B|----- 0---- 2---- 5---- 7---- 9----12----14----17----19----21-----|
G|----- 1---- 4---- 6---- 9----11----13----16----18----21-----|
D|----- 2---- 4---- 6---- 9----11----14----16----18----21-----|
A|----- 2---- 4---- 7---- 9----11----14----16----19----21-----|
E|----- 0---- 2---- 4---- 7---- 9----12----14----16----19----21-----|
Notes: E - F# - G# - B - C#
Formula
12356
Intervals
R - M2 - M3 - P5 - M6
About the Pentatonic Major Scale
The major pentatonic is a five-note scale that removes the 4th and 7th degrees from the major scale, eliminating all half-step intervals. This creates an instantly pleasing, consonant sound that's impossible to play 'wrong' notes with.
Usage
Foundational for rock, blues, country, and pop solos and melodies. Perfect for beginners as it sounds good over major chord progressions without clashing. Used in countless guitar solos and vocal melodies worldwide.
History
Found in folk music across virtually every culture worldwide, from ancient Chinese music to Scottish bagpipes to African music. Its universality suggests it's one of humanity's most fundamental musical building blocks.