C major pentatonic scale on piano
The C major pentatonic scale on piano has 5 notes: C, D, E, G, and A (C, D, E, G, A). It uses only white keys.
- C 1
- D 2
- E 3
- G 5
- A 6
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (C) has the strongest color. Tap a key to hear the note; "Play" goes up and down. The small dot marks middle C (C4).
Fingering for the C major pentatonic scale
This scale has no single fingering in piano method books. A rule that works: never put the thumb on a black key, and pass the thumb right after a black key. Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger.
Formula
- C
- W
- D
- W
- E
- 1½W
- G
- W
- A
- 1½W
- C
Degrees: 1 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 6. Steps: W – W – 1½W – W – 1½W (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the major pentatonic scale
Five notes and no half steps: it is almost impossible to sound "wrong". Common in country, rock and pop.
Scales with the same notes
Relative minor: A minor pentatonic scale . Same notes, different center.
More C scales
- Major
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic
- Minor pentatonic
- Blues
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Locrian
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião)
- Phrygian dominant
- Whole-tone
- Diminished (whole-half)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole)
Major pentatonic in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the C major pentatonic scale?
The notes of the C major pentatonic scale are C, D, E, G, and A. It uses only white keys.
What is the formula of the C major pentatonic scale?
In degrees: 1 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 6. In steps between notes: W – W – 1½W – W – 1½W (W = whole step, H = half step).