A♯ Egyptian scale
The A♯ Egyptian scale is a 5-note egyptian scale built on the root A♯. Its notes are A♯, B♯, D♯, E♯ and G♯. Suspended pentatonic — major pentatonic without the third or seventh. Floating, modal and ambient, also called the suspended pentatonic. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make A♯ Egyptian a great tool for improvising and composing.
Egyptian (suspended pentatonic) is everywhere in modal jazz, ambient and meditative music — its lack of third lets it float over both major and minor chords without committing to either. Built on the root A♯, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where A♯ is a comfortable tonal centre.
- Notes
- A♯ · B♯ · D♯ · E♯ · G♯
- Formula
- 1P · 2M · 4P · 5P · 7m
- Step pattern
- W W+H W W+H W
- Tonic
- A♯
A♯ Egyptian on the piano
A♯ Egyptian on the guitar
A♯ Egyptian on the staff
Hear the A♯ Egyptian scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the A♯ Egyptian scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | A♯(A#) | |
| 2 | 2M | 2 | B♯(B#) | |
| 3 | 4P | 5 | D♯(D#) | |
| 4 | 5P | 7 | E♯(E#) | |
| 5 | 7m | 10 | G♯(G#) |
How to use the A♯ Egyptian scale
Because A♯ Egyptian has fewer or more than seven notes, it doesn't produce a standard set of seven diatonic triads. Instead, build chords by stacking thirds within the scale or use it as a melodic colour over chords drawn from a related diatonic key.
Egyptian (suspended pentatonic) is everywhere in modal jazz, ambient and meditative music — its lack of third lets it float over both major and minor chords without committing to either.
Practice tips
Improvise over a sus4 or quartal chord using only Egyptian notes — its missing third lets it work over both major and minor backings without committing.
Where you will hear A♯ Egyptian
A♯ Egyptian appears throughout egyptian (suspended pentatonic) is everywhere in modal jazz, ambient and meditative music — its lack of third lets it float over both major and minor chords without committing to either. Listening to music in this scale and transcribing short phrases is the fastest way to absorb its sound.
Formula & step pattern
The A♯ Egyptian scale follows the suspended pentatonic with intervals 1, 2, 4, 5, ♭7 — major pentatonic with the third and sixth replaced by suspensions. Step pattern: W - W+H - W - W+H - W. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2M · 4P · 5P · 7m. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Questions people ask
- What notes are in the A♯ Egyptian scale?
- The A♯ Egyptian scale contains A♯, B♯, D♯, E♯ and G♯.
- What is the formula for the A♯ Egyptian scale?
- A♯ Egyptian follows the suspended pentatonic with intervals 1, 2, 4, 5, ♭7 — major pentatonic with the third and sixth replaced by suspensions.
- Is A♯ Egyptian a major or minor scale?
- A♯ Egyptian is a egyptian scale. Suspended pentatonic — major pentatonic without the third or seventh. Floating, modal and ambient, also called the suspended pentatonic.
- What chords belong to the A♯ Egyptian scale?
- A♯ Egyptian doesn't produce a standard seven-chord diatonic set. Use chords from a related diatonic scale instead.
- Which genres use A♯ Egyptian?
- Egyptian (suspended pentatonic) is everywhere in modal jazz, ambient and meditative music — its lack of third lets it float over both major and minor chords without committing to either.
- How do I practise the A♯ Egyptian scale?
- Improvise over a sus4 or quartal chord using only Egyptian notes — its missing third lets it work over both major and minor backings without committing.