Piano scale
E Major Pentatonic Scale
The E Major Pentatonic Scale has 5 notes: E – F♯ – G♯ – B – C♯.
- E1
- F♯2
- G♯3
- B4
- C♯5
Notes of the E Major Pentatonic Scale
| Degree | Notes | Intervals | Formula |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | Root | 1 |
| 2 | F♯ | Major 2nd | 2 |
| 3 | G♯ | Major 3rd | 3 |
| 4 | B | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| 5 | C♯ | Major 6th | 6 |
Step pattern
W – W – W+H – W – W+H
From the root to the octave the scale moves in this pattern: W – W – W+H – W – W+H.
W = whole step (2 semitones), H = half step (1 semitone), W+H = 3 semitones
Sound and character
Strip the major scale to just 5 notes — remove the 4th and 7th — and you get the world's most universally liked sound. Found in folk music on every continent.
Sound: Cheerful & universal
How to use it
With no half steps it is almost impossible to play a wrong note — ideal for first improvisations over major chords and for folk-style melodies.
Chords, key signature and progressions: E Major key
Songs that use it
- My Girl · The TemptationsSoul
- Brown Eyed Girl · Van MorrisonPop
- Stand By Me · Ben E. KingR&B
Play the E Major Pentatonic Scale with different sounds in the interactive builder.
Open in the chord builderPractising on an acoustic piano that sounds off?
If chords sound sour even when you play the right notes, the piano is probably out of tune. Our technicians tune pianos across Israel.