C Major Pentatonic Scale
Notes in the C Major Pentatonic Scale
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | C | 261.626 Hz |
| 2 | Supertonic | D | 293.665 Hz |
| 3 | Mediant | E | 329.628 Hz |
| 5 | Dominant | G | 391.995 Hz |
| 6 | Submediant | A | 440.000 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | C | D |
| 2 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | D | E |
| 3 | Aug 2nd (WH) | 3 | E | G |
| 4 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | G | A |
| 5 | Aug 2nd (WH) | 3 | A | C |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | C (complex) | other |
| 2 | D | D (complex) | other |
| 3 | E | E (complex) | other |
| 5 | G | G (complex) | other |
| 6 | A | A (complex) | other |
Key Signature
No sharps or flats — C Major Pentatonic Scale uses the same key signature as C major.
C Major Pentatonic Scale in Practice
The C Major Pentatonic Scale uses the key signature of no sharps or flats. C major is the simplest key signature with no sharps or flats. It is the starting point for music theory and the most widely studied key in Western music. On guitar, C positions offer open-string resonance for fingering positions for this scale.
The major pentatonic scale uses five notes from the major scale, omitting the 4th and 7th degrees. It has a bright, open sound widely used in folk, country, and pop music.
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| D | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
| E | 329.628 Hz | 330.001 Hz | 327.032 Hz |
| G | 391.995 Hz | 391.111 Hz | 392.438 Hz |
| A | 440.000 Hz | 440.000 Hz | 436.043 Hz |
Related Scales
Guitar: C Major Pentatonic Scale Positions
The C key offers open-string resonance (no sharps or flats) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like C are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.
Piano: C Major Pentatonic Scale
C major is the foundational key for piano study — all white keys, no black keys in the major scale. Every piano method book begins here. The Major Pentatonic Scale in C remains the most-studied scale pattern for establishing keyboard geography and finger positioning.