fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON ALTO SAXOPHONE

C Pentatonic Major

Five notes of the major scale that work universally — 1 2 3 5 6. The default scale of folk traditions worldwide.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
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Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds a major 6th below the written notation — the instrument's concert (sounding) pitch.

Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 5 title C Pentatonic Major Verovio
Keyboard
CDEGACDEGACDEGAC
Related scales
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
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Questions
What notes are in the C Pentatonic Major scale?

The C Pentatonic Major scale uses the notes C, D, E, G, A (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What's the Pentatonic Major scale formula?

The Pentatonic Major scale follows the interval pattern W W W+H W W+H, where W = whole step (2 semitones) and H = half step (1 semitone). Apply that pattern starting on C to get the C Pentatonic Major scale.

What chords work over C Pentatonic Major?

Major pentatonic works over major triads, maj7, and the I / IV / V of any major-key blues. Universal.

How do I finger C Pentatonic Major on Alto Saxophone?

On saxophone, scales train fingering + the altissimo register. Practice the entire range — low Bb through high F (or higher with altissimo fingerings) — at each scale.

When would I use the Pentatonic Major scale?

Five notes of the major scale that work universally — 1 2 3 5 6. The default scale of folk traditions worldwide.