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  Pentatonic scales

  Posted by reba-j on October 26, 2023 at 12:38 am

  Ok. I know the whole steps and half steps of a regular scale, but can anyone tell me exactly what a pentatonic scale is? Thank you.

  Ignorant in Arizona

  reba-j replied 2 years, 5 months ago 3 Members · 3 Replies
• 3 Replies

• 

  JoeT

  Member

  October 26, 2023 at 5:56 am

  A pentatonic scale (penta, meaning 5) is basically a major scale with the 4th and 7th removed.

  • 

    ChuckS

    Member

    October 26, 2023 at 7:21 am

    @JoeT – You may want to expand that explanation a bit. What you have described is the Major Pentatonic Scale= 1-2-3-5-6. There is also the Minor Pentatonic . Minor Pentatonic Scales= 1-3-4-5-7.

    I find the Minor Pentatonic more useful as you can use it against both Major and Minor keys and it sounds good, whereas the Major Pentatonic only sounds good in a Major Key. Of course, you can also get fancy and mix the two.

    I was a bit disappointed that Fretboard Wizard really didnot get into the Pentatonic Scales as they are just so useful and cool.

    Enjoy

• 

  reba-j

  Member

  October 27, 2023 at 12:09 am

  Thank you, gentlemen, so much for your replies. Yes, I also took the Fretboard Wizard about 2 years ago, and I did not recall learning about them. That was my first time through any type of music theory so it is not surprising that I was not aware of their absence!! Muchas gracias!

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