What is a Pentatonic Scale in Music?
Just as the name suggests (penta means 5), a pentatonic scale contains 5 notes. Predominantly, there exist the pentatonic major and the minor scales. While the pentatonic major scales have the number of half steps between the notes as 2,2,3,2,3, the minor scales have the notes separated by 3,2,2,3,2 half steps. And so there you have it – herewith lays the difference between the two scales. A simple variation that makes all the difference between two very prominent scales that are used extensively in almost all genres and especially important as a beginner guitar scale. The Importance of the Pentatonic Scales These prominent scales are widely used in rock music, country, jazz, and blues. Many consider the pentatonic scale to be the heart of rock n roll numbers and it is undoubtedly one of the most important scale modes. The genre is made up of the dominant notes in a scale and can add a great effect to a composition if used in the correct way. Important – The dominant notes of a pentato
