A major pentatonic scale

A major pentatonic

  • AR
  • B2
  • C♯3
  • E5
  • F♯6

Positions

123456789101112131415EF♯ABC♯EF♯ABC♯EF♯ABEF♯ABC♯EABC♯EF♯ABC♯EF♯ABC♯EF♯ABC♯EF♯
Solo over I–IV–V–I in A →Memorize this scale →

How it is built

  • Five notes: the major scale without its 4th and 7th. No half steps anywhere, so there is no wrong note over a major chord.
  • C♯ and F♯ give it the bright, country sound. Bend B up to C♯ and you have the classic major-pentatonic lick.
  • Same notes as F♯ minor pentatonic, three frets lower. Same shapes, different root.

Chords that fit A major pentatonic

Other A scales