F Major Pentatonic Scale
Notes in the F Major Pentatonic Scale
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | F | 349.228 Hz |
| 2 | Supertonic | G | 391.995 Hz |
| 3 | Mediant | A | 440.000 Hz |
| 5 | Dominant | C | 261.626 Hz |
| 6 | Submediant | D | 293.665 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | F | G |
| 2 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | G | A |
| 3 | Aug 2nd (WH) | 3 | A | C |
| 4 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | C | D |
| 5 | Aug 2nd (WH) | 3 | D | F |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | F (complex) | other |
| 2 | G | G (complex) | other |
| 3 | A | A (complex) | other |
| 5 | C | C (complex) | other |
| 6 | D | D (complex) | other |
Key Signature
1 ♭ — The F key signature uses Bb.
F Major Pentatonic Scale in Practice
The F Major Pentatonic Scale uses the key signature of 1 flat (Bb). F major has one flat (Bb) and a warm, pastoral quality. It is one of the most natural keys for wind instruments and is frequently used in orchestral and choral music. On guitar, F positions offer comfortable transposing instrument keys 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| G | 391.995 Hz | 391.111 Hz | 392.438 Hz |
| A | 440.000 Hz | 440.000 Hz | 436.043 Hz |
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| D | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
Related Scales
Transposing Instruments: F Major Pentatonic Scale
F is a natural key for B♭ instruments (trumpet, clarinet, tenor sax), which sound a major second lower than written. B♭ instruments reading in C produce F concert pitch. E♭ instruments (alto sax, baritone sax) reading in F sound a major sixth lower.