What is pentatonic scale?

What is the Pentatonic Scale?

• I mean in detail what really makes it up? Is it halff steps or whole steps?

• Answer:

  One of the most common pentatonic scales, sometimes called a major pentatonic scale or primary pentatonic scale (set form 5-35, 02479), can be constructed in many ways. A simple construction takes five consecutive pitches from the circle of fifths; starting on C, these are C, G, D, A, and E. Transposing the pitches to fit into one octave rearranges the pitches into the major pentatonic scale: C, D, E, G, A. In any key relative to the root, these are scale tones 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 (root, major second, major third, perfect fifth and major sixth), and they include the root note's major triad. Another construction, derived from Western European classical music, begins with a major scale and omits the fourth and the seventh scale degrees: a C major scale is {C, D, E, F, G, A, B}, so omitting the F and B again results in the sequence {C, D, E, G, A}. The major pentatonic scale can also be seen as all the pitches that are not present in the major scale: in C major, the remaining pitches are G flat, A flat, B flat, D flat, and E flat, the notes in the G flat major pentatonic scale. These notes are also the black keys on the piano keyboard. This scale is used for many popular pentatonic songs such as "Amazing Grace" and "Auld Lang Syne". Consult below for more information.