Piano Chord Library
Rob
Five distinct notes, then the octave
C major pentatonic is C D E G A. It keeps major-scale degrees 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, omitting F and B. The gaps are not all whole steps: E to G and A to the next C are each three semitones.
Minor uses a different degree pattern
A minor pentatonic is A C D E G. Its formula is 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7 relative to A major. It omits B and F from A natural minor. C major pentatonic and A minor pentatonic share five pitch classes, but start on different tonics.
Parallel and relative comparisons
C minor pentatonic is C E♭ F G B♭, which differs from C major pentatonic. This parallel comparison keeps C fixed. Comparing C major with A minor pentatonic instead is a relative comparison, with the same notes re-centred on A.
A bounded listening exercise
- Select C and major pentatonic in the scale explorer.
- Switch to minor pentatonic without changing the root. Identify E♭, F and B♭.
- Select A minor pentatonic and compare its note set with C major pentatonic.
These patterns are a note reference, not a promise that every note fits every chord or song. Harmonic context and phrasing still matter.
Reference: Open Music Theory: pentatonic harmony.
