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.

Circle of Fifths ➜ The Pentatonic Scale

• 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), and then rearrange them within a single octave (C, D, E, G, A), you get the C major pentatonic scale. This sequence, being closely related on the Circle of Fifths, inherently creates a highly consonant and 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

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

2511 C Major

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

1375 C Major

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Use the Pentatonic Scale to Create

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

1645 C Major

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

2511 C Major

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

1375 C Major

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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 melodies, harmonies, and chord progressions.

C Major Scale "Tension Notes": F & B

The notes F (the 4th degree) and B (the 7th degree or leading tone) are sometimes referred to as "tension notes" or "color notes" within the major scale. While all notes in a major scale belong to the key, F and B have a unique harmonic relationship to the tonic (C) compared to the other notes.

• Why F & B can create tension:
  • F (4th degree): Creates a half-step interval with E (the 3rd degree of the C major chord). When played over a C major chord, this half-step can create a momentary friction or tension, often referred to as an "avoid note", but more commonly used as a passing or neighbor tone.
  • B (7th degree - Leading Tone): Creates a strong pull to the tonic (C) because it is a half-step below it. This inherent tension demands resolution, making it a powerful melodic device.
  • Tritone Relationship: F and B also form a tritone interval (six half-steps), which is a very dissonant interval in Western music. This tension is crucial for creating movement and drive in melodies and harmonies.
• How to Use F & B Effectively (The "Tension and Release" Approach)
  • Strategic Placement: Instead of a strict "rule" of avoidance, think about using F and B strategically to create tension that resolves to a more stable note (like C, E, or G in a C major context).
  • Passing Tones: Play F or B briefly as you move between more stable chord tones. They add color without lingering dissonance.
  • Resolution: Use B to lead powerfully to C, or F to lead to E or G, creating satisfying melodic resolutions.
  • Play it Safe and Check the Chord: It's often true that F will sound very consonant over chords containing F (like F major or D minor in the key of C), and B will sound very consonant over chords containing B (like G major or E minor in the key of C).

Tip: Trust your ear! Experiment with F and B. If a note sounds too harsh when held, try playing it briefly as a passing tone or resolve it quickly to a more stable note.

• This is what the C major scale looks like on a guitar fretboard (expanding upon the C major pentatonic scale in red).

Use the Major Scale

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

Note: In these guitar tabs, experiment with how F and B (the bold numbers) sound over the changing chords. Focus on creating tension and resolution.

1645 C Major

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

2511 C Major

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

1375 C Major

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Use the Major Scale to Create

Create solos while consciously applying the concept of Tension Notes.

Consider these guidelines for using F and B (the 4th and 7th degrees of the major scale) over different diatonic chords:

• Over the I (C) chord:
  • F (the 4th) can create a moment of tension over a C major chord. Try playing it briefly as a passing tone or resolving it to E or G.
  • B (the 7th) is the leading tone and creates a strong pull towards C. Use it to build anticipation and resolve to C.
• Over the ii (Dm) and IV (F) chords: The note F is a chord tone in these chords, so it will sound very stable and consonant.
• Over the iii (Em) and V (G) chords: The note B is a chord tone in these chords, so it will sound very stable and consonant.
• Over the vi (Am) chord:
  • F (the 4th of C major) is the major 6th of Am. It adds a pleasant color.
  • B (the 7th of C major) is the major 9th of Am. It can create a softer, more open sound.
• Over the vii° (B diminished) chord: Both F (the tritone) and B (the root) are core components, adding to the chord's inherent tension.

Use the C major scale to create a 4 bar solo over a 1645 chord progression.

1645 C Major

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Use the C major scale to create a 4 bar solo over a 2511 chord progression.

2511 C Major

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Use the C major scale to create a 4 bar solo over a 1375 chord progression.

1375 C Major

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Test

Unlocking Any Major Scale: The Whole/Half Step Formula

While we built the C Major scale by adding two notes to the pentatonic (or by constructing it from a sequence of seven perfect fifths (e.g., F-C-G-D-A-E-B rearranged to C-D-E-F-G-A-B). On a guitar fretboard This pattern describes the distance between each note in the major scale:

Start on the 1 note and count

Whole - Whole - Half - Whole - Whole - Whole - Half

• Whole Step (W): Moving two frets up or down on your guitar.
• Half Step (H): Moving one fret up or down on your guitar.

Think of it as: W W H W W W H

Let's see how this works for C Major:

• 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 is your roadmap to every major scale. Try applying it to build a G Major Scale, starting on G, or an A Major Scale, starting on A!

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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 consonant 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.
• Serves as the most common scale in Western music, foundational for melodies, harmonies, and chord progressions.
• Tension Notes (F & B in C Major):
  • These notes can create momentary tension due to their harmonic relationships (e.g., half-steps, tritone).
  • They are valuable expressive tools that can be used strategically for tension and resolution, often by resolving to more stable chord tones.

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 by effectively utilizing tension notes.

What's Next?

Ready to unlock the secrets of musical structure? Next chapter, you'll delve into the C Major Scale, discovering how its seven notes lay the groundwork for seven diatonic chords. You'll learn to build each chord and understand how these notes and chords together form the very concept of a musical key, the fundamental tonal home base for every song you'll ever play.