A major pentatonic scale for guitar
Fretboard fingerings, formula, and notes of the A major pentatonic scale (1 2 3 5 6) on guitar: A · B · C# · E · F#.
Instrument
Scale
Root
Position
Frets15
1224
Chord
A Major pentatonic
12356
E
B
G
D
A
E
Scroll horizontally to see the whole fretboard
Legend
1
A
· Root
2
B
· Tension
3
C#
· Third
5
E
· Fifth
6
F#
· Tension
Scale sheet
A Major pentatonicFormula (degrees)
1 2 3 5 6
Notes in key
A B C# E F#
Typical use
Country, pop, major solos.
Major pentatonic
The major pentatonic is the major scale with the fourth and seventh degrees removed -- the two notes most dissonant against the tonic. The remaining five notes create no harmonic friction, ideal for smooth solos over country, pop, and rock.
Notes of the A major pentatonic scale: A · B · C# · E · F#.