5. Circle of Fifths ➜ Pentatonic Scale ➜ Major Scale

The Pentatonic Scale

In the previous chapter, we learned that notes next to each other on the Circle of Fifths share a strong harmonic relationship.

• The pentatonic scale is made up of five notes that are derived from a sequence of perfect fifths. For example, if you start on C and stack five perfect fifths (C, G, D, A, E), you get the C major pentatonic scale. This sequence, being closely related on the Circle of Fifths, inherently creates a highly stable sound.

• The pentatonic scale is widely used in rock, blues, jazz, and pop music due to its naturally melodic and "safe" quality, where every note tends to sound good over most chords in the key.
• This is what the C pentatonic scale looks like on a guitar fretboard.

Play the Pentatonic Scale

C Pentatonic Scale Tab

• Play the C pentatonic scale tab over a 1645 chord progression.

1645 C Major

0:00

/9.6

1×

• Play the C pentatonic scale tab over a 2511 chord progression.

2511 C Major

0:00

/9.6

1×

• Play the C pentatonic scale tab over a 1375 chord progression.

1375 C Major

0:00

/9.6

1×

Tip: Notice how the pentatonic scale sounded good over all three chord progressions.

Use the Pentatonic Scale to Create

Grab a piece of paper and a pencil and write music:

• Use the C pentatonic scale to create a 4 bar solo over a 1645 chord progression

1645 C Major

0:00

/9.6

1×

• Use the C pentatonic scale to create a 4 bar solo over a 2511 chord progression

2511 C Major

0:00

/9.6

1×

• Use the C pentatonic scale to create a 4 bar solo over a 1375 chord progression

1375 C Major

0:00

/9.6

1×

The Major Scale

The Pentatonic Scale ➜ The Major Scale

• The major scale is an expansion of the pentatonic scale. We take the five notes of the C major pentatonic scale (C, D, E, G, A) and add two crucial notes: F and B. These seven notes (C, D, E, F, G, A, B) form the C major scale.

• This is the most common scale in Western music.
• These are the 7 diatonic notes for a given key.
• It serves as the foundation for chord progressions.
• This is what the C major scale looks like on a guitar fretboard, expanding upon the C major pentatonic scale in red.

• On the Circle of Fifths, the two non-pentatonic notes (F & B) lie outside the pentatonic scale. Thus, they are more tense and more difficult to solo with.
• After years of studying music, I've discovered that the simplest and most effective way to write solos is to use the pentatonic scale or strum notes from the chords in the chord progression. In this course, we won’t solo with the major scale shape, but we will incorporate non-pentatonic notes (F & B) when they appear in our chord progressions.

Test:

Unlocking Any Major Scale: The Whole/Half Step Formula

The major scale can be constructed using the whole/half step formula, a simple pattern that defines the intervals between its seven notes. On the guitar fretboard, a whole step (W) is two frets, and a half step (H) is one fret

Major Scale Formula: W-W-H-W-W-W-H

For the C Major scale, start on C

• C + W (2 frets) = D
• D + W (2 frets) = E
• E + H (1 fret) = F
• F + W (2 frets) = G
• G + W (2 frets) = A
• A + W (2 frets) = B
• B + H (1 fret) = C (the octave!)

This formula, an alternative to building the scale from the pentatonic or Circle of Fifths, unlocks any major scale—try it with G or A to explore new keys!

Summary

• Notes adjacent on the Circle of Fifths are harmonically related.
• The Pentatonic Scale:
  • Formed by a sequence of five perfect fifths (e.g., C-G-D-A-E), which are inherently stable when arranged into a scale. Widely used for its melodic and "safe" quality.
• The Major Scale:
  • Derived by expanding the pentatonic scale with two additional notes (F and B in C Major), which complete the seven-note diatonic structure.

Goal Achieved

You've successfully grasped the pentatonic and major scales' relationship to the Circle of Fifths, understood their harmonic properties, and gained practical experience in applying them to create musical solos.

What's Next?

Ready to unlock chords used by Nirvana? Next chapter, you'll take your power chord skills to the next level by crafting iconic rock riffs and progressions! You'll combine power chords across the E, A, D, G, and B strings to create dynamic, high-energy sequences, exploring popular rock progressions like I-IV-V and ii-V-I in various keys. Look forward to writing your own 4-bar riffs to jam over backing tracks, so you can rock out with confidence and style!