C Major Pentatonic Scale on Guitar
The C Major Pentatonic scale contains C, D, E, G and A — 5 notes. Every position is marked across the whole fretboard below, labelled with note names and with interval numbers, and the tuning of each string can be changed.
| Degree | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | C | D | E | G | A |
| Interval | Root | Major 2nd | Major 3rd | Perfect 5th | Major 6th |
Note names
Interval numbers
Modes
Major Pentatonic is not one of the seven major-scale modes.
Triads
Major Pentatonic has 5 notes, so it has no diatonic chords.
7th Chords
Major Pentatonic has 5 notes, so it has no diatonic chords.
Circle of fifths
Smaller scales inside C Major Pentatonic
No scale in the list has fewer notes than this one.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C Major Pentatonic scale?
C, D, E, G and A. That is 5 notes.
What is the interval pattern of the C Major Pentatonic scale?
2-2-3-2-3, counting in semitones from the root: C to D is 2 semitones, D to E is 2, E to G is 3, G to A is 2 and A back up to C is 3.
Practice this on your own guitar
Fretonomy listens to your instrument and drills triads, scales and chords.