Pentatonic Scales

In the previous section you saw that the step between ti–do and fa–mi is half-step away to each other so their connections are smoother than the others.

And we saw some examples using half-step motion.

1. Major Pentatonic Scale

Now, what if you eliminate the two tendency tones? There’s a scale with no half-step (no fa and ti): a Major Pentatonic Scale.

The scale has only 5 tones, hence “penta”tonic. With fa and ti omitted, melody lines generated with this scale never include delicate half-step motion and all the way clear and vibrant.

Case Example

The scale is suitable for merry, cheerful, up-tempo pop/rock songs.

“I Really Like You” is a typical example utilizing the scale. The melody lines in the chorus part are made up with the pentatonic scale, except for fa played at “Oh Did I say too much”. Energetic whole-step and skip motions fit for the theme of this song¹.

Notice that this melody mostly just traces up and down the scale tones in order. By the absence of fa and ti there are gaps between mi–so and do–la. As a result, just tracing scale tones will make good balance between step motion and skip motion.

2. Minor Pentatonic Scale

Just like the “relative” relationship between major scale and minor scale, a major pentatonic scale has its “relative”—a minor pentatonic scale.

When the tonal center is set at la, it is regarded as a minor pentatonic scale. It has the same sound peculiarity as the major pentatonic—by lack of half-steps, delicate expressions are kept out and lines generated from it naturally get powerful.

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fa and ti is good at creating sad or depressed moods. Without them, minor pentatonic scale sounds somehow drier. However, it’s not a bad thing at all; looking at it differently, using the pentatonic scale can actually mitigate the sadness of a minor key. This perspective is particularly important when employing a minor key without necessarily evoking a ‘sad’ impression, especially in genres like rock and EDM.

Case Example

“New Man” by Ed Sheeran is almost entirely made up with E minor pentatonic scale. “Na na na na nah” at the beginning already is a typical pentatonic phrase.

Basically it’s in minor key, but the absence of tendency tones makes it dry, not much sad, emphasizing an unperturbed attitude that the lyrics express.

Extra Examples

The muscular feel of the pentatonic is favored especially in rock music. You can find pentatonic phrases in hit songs by Oasis, Maroon 5, The Chili Peppers and so on.

Regardless of genres, it is used typically for producing cheerful or powerful moods.

Pentatonic in Rock Melodies and Guitar Solos

Pentatonic scales are frequently used in rock. You can find a ton of pentatonic melodies and guitar solos in rock songs.

Why do guitarists love pentatonic? There could be several reasons for that.

• It is relatively easy to learn fingering positions. Guitars are so made that you can play pentatonic scales easily.
• You don’t need to care about handling unstable tendency tones. Especially fa easily produces dissonance with chords.
• As mentioned above, it can naturally mix steps and skips in a good balance.

Or, since resolution of tendency tones lies at the basis of Classical music or jazz, not using it possibly keeps a song remote from such genres, making it look more like “rock”.

Major or Minor?

The tone members of a major pentatonic scale and its relative minor pentatonic scale are identical; the only difference is the tonal center (do or la). As a matter of fact, the distinction between the two can be vague (just like major/minor relative scales). So guitarists often say just “pentatonic scale”, which roughly means like “major pentatonic if major key, minor pentatonic if minor key”.

3. Use of Terms

In the first place, “pentatonic scale” originally means what its name literally says—”a scale consisting of 5 tones”. So it could also be a collective term for all scales that has 5 tones, depending on contexts.

In this sense there are variety of pentatonic scales available. And we have terms for 6-tone scales, 7-tone scales and so on.

4. Pentatonic in Ethnic Music

One thing you should know: Pentatonic scales are used in ethnic music all over the world such as in Asia and Africa.This scale is truly observed in traditional music and nursery rhymes from various regions around the world.

It can be found also in old British/Scottish/Irish songs. Hence country music, partly rooted in those traditional music around UK, likes to use the scale to emphasize its ethnicity.

It is important to study a scale from both theoretical and cultural perspectives.

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Well, though the difference between whole-step and half-step is just by a semitone, it has great influence on musical effect. The line do–re–mi is common between pentatonic and normal major so it is kinda “neutral territory”. Ascending like mi–fa–so results in classical Western format, whereas mi–so–la can bring traditional, countryside or oriental moods.

Summary

• Major/minor pentatonic scales are the scales without fa and ti. By lack of half-step motion, it becomes muscular and dry.
• Pentatonic scales are also essential in genres like rock or country, or some ethnic music.

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