Why Learn the Major Pentatonic Scale?
When applied in the most common way, this scale has a simple, bright sound to it, and works well over many major chords. You should notice that three of the five notes are the notes of the major triad. That is why this scale often complements and is played over major triads. It also often works over the major 7th and dominant 7th chords. It can also be applied to some other chords we have yet to discuss like the major 6th chord (R, 3, 5, 6) and the major 6 9 chord (R, 3, 5, 6, 9). When creating your own basslines you always have to use your ear to judge when applying a scale to a chord works and when it doesn’t. Hopefully you’ve read ‘chord tones are primary’. In a way the major pentatonic scale is a slightly modified major triad. I think the popularity of this scale is more evidence that chord tones are the real key to understanding music. You’ll notice most basslines applying the major pentatonic scale still heavily emphasize the basic underlying major triad. Don’t get too caught up
