E flat major pentatonic scale on piano
The E flat major pentatonic scale on piano has 5 notes: E flat, F, G, B flat, and C (E♭, F, G, B♭, C). It uses 2 black keys: E♭, B♭.
- E♭ E flat 1
- F 2
- G 3
- B♭ B flat 5
- C 6
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (E♭) 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 E flat 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
- E♭
- W
- F
- W
- G
- 1½W
- B♭
- W
- C
- 1½W
- E♭
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: C minor pentatonic scale . Same notes, different center.
More E flat scales
- Major
- Natural minor (D♯)
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic
- Minor pentatonic (D♯)
- Blues (D♯)
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian (D♯)
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Locrian (D♯)
- 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 E flat major pentatonic scale?
The notes of the E flat major pentatonic scale are E flat, F, G, B flat, and C. It uses 2 black keys: E♭, B♭.
What is the formula of the E flat 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).