fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON GUITAR

D 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 an octave 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 D Pentatonic Major Verovio
Tuning
FretboardTuning: DADGBE
35791215DADGBEDEF♯ABDEABDEF♯ABDEF♯ABDEABDEF♯ABDEF♯ABDEF♯ABDEF♯
Related scales
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
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Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the D Pentatonic Major scale?

The D Pentatonic Major scale uses the notes D, E, F♯, A, B (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 D to get the D Pentatonic Major scale.

What chords work over D Pentatonic Major?

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

How do I finger D Pentatonic Major on Guitar?

On guitar, scales are typically learned as position patterns — three- or four-notes-per-string shapes that move up the neck. The CAGED system positions each scale in five interconnected patterns; the three-notes-per-string approach simplifies modal scales.

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.