B♯ Major Pentatonic scale
The B♯ Major Pentatonic scale is a 5-note major pentatonic scale built on the root B♯. Its notes are C, D, E, G and A. Five-note bright scale that avoids dissonance - the workhorse of folk, country and pop solos. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make B♯ Major Pentatonic a great tool for improvising and composing.
Major pentatonic is the most singable scale there is. Powers folk, country, gospel, pop melodies and almost every nursery rhyme you've ever heard. Built on the root B♯, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where B♯ is a comfortable tonal centre.
Formula & step pattern
The B♯ Major Pentatonic scale follows five notes drawn from the major scale: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 (skipping the fourth and seventh). Step pattern: W - W - W+H - W - W+H. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2M · 3M · 5P · 6M. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
B♯ Major Pentatonic on the piano
B♯ Major Pentatonic on the guitar
B♯ Major Pentatonic on the staff
Hear the B♯ Major Pentatonic scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the B♯ Major Pentatonic scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | C |
| 2 | 2M | 2 | D |
| 3 | 3M | 4 | E |
| 4 | 5P | 7 | G |
| 5 | 6M | 9 | A |
How to use the B♯ Major Pentatonic scale
Because B♯ Major Pentatonic 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.
Major pentatonic is the most singable scale there is. Powers folk, country, gospel, pop melodies and almost every nursery rhyme you've ever heard.
Practice tips
Memorise the five-note shape on every string set and sing the notes along with it - this scale was built for making melodies.
Famous songs
B♯ Major Pentatonic appears throughout major pentatonic is the most singable scale there is. powers folk, country, gospel, pop melodies and almost every nursery rhyme you've ever heard. Listening to music in this scale and transcribing short phrases is the fastest way to absorb its sound.
Scales related to B♯ Major Pentatonic
Once you are comfortable with B♯ Major Pentatonic, explore related scales to expand your vocabulary. The scales below share notes, modes or tonal centres with B♯ Major Pentatonic and are a natural next step in your study.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the B♯ Major Pentatonic scale?
What is the formula for the B♯ Major Pentatonic scale?
Is B♯ Major Pentatonic a major or minor scale?
What chords belong to the B♯ Major Pentatonic scale?
Which genres use B♯ Major Pentatonic?
What is the relative key of B♯ Major Pentatonic?
What is the parallel key of B♯ Major Pentatonic?
How do I practise the B♯ Major Pentatonic scale?
Take B♯ Major Pentatonic into your music
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