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What is pentatonic scale?

Pentatonic scale trouble?

  • so i don't really get the difference between the minor and major pentatonic scale? aren't they like the same. i read an article in total guitar and it was about the major and minor pentatonic scales. it had a picture of two scales one from the minor pentatonic and one from the major. but the major was like exactly the same as the minor except it was missing the first not and the root note was difference. can someone please help me out im really confused

  • Answer:

    It is all about the intervals. The root note defines the scale. Without changing the key signature you can find a major scales relative minor. For example, a C major scale's relative minor is A. What really matters is the interval between the second and third note. A major scale has a whole step between the 2nd and 3rd note and a minor scale has a half step between the second and third note. Edit: More detail; A major penatonic (5 note) scale's relative minor is the 5th note on the scale. A heptatonic scale's (7 note) relative minor is the 6th. Another thing to remember. If you are playing a major scale, say a G major and you want to play a G minor instead, just flat (take down a half step or one fret) the third note on the scale.

Richard B at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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It is all about the intervals. The root note defines the scale. Without changing the key signature you can find a major scales relative minor. For example, a C major scale's relative minor is A. What really matters is the interval between the second and third note. A major scale has a whole step between the 2nd and 3rd note and a minor scale has a half step between the second and third note. Edit: More detail; A major penatonic (5 note) scale's relative minor is the 5th note on the scale. A heptatonic scale's (7 note) relative minor is the 6th. Another thing to remember. If you are playing a major scale, say a G major and you want to play a G minor instead, just flat (take down a half step or one fret) the third note on the scale.

Richard B

The short answer? The difference is all in what notes you emphasize. While playing over a song in the key of C major, if you emphasize the C in the C major pentatonic, you'll hear "major". If you emphasize the A, you'll hear "minor". Same notes, different relationships between them. That's the secret behind modes - take the C major scale. Your ear will gravitate towards hearing "major". Emphasize the G, however, and your ear will tend to hear "mixolydian". Concept? Simple. Execution? Slightly less so. *grin* Saul

Saul

The short answer? The difference is all in what notes you emphasize. While playing over a song in the key of C major, if you emphasize the C in the C major pentatonic, you'll hear "major". If you emphasize the A, you'll hear "minor". Same notes, different relationships between them. That's the secret behind modes - take the C major scale. Your ear will gravitate towards hearing "major". Emphasize the G, however, and your ear will tend to hear "mixolydian". Concept? Simple. Execution? Slightly less so. *grin* Saul

Saul

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