E Pentatonic Scale

E major pentatonic takes degrees 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 of the E major scale. Its three-note tonic chord is E-G sharp-B. Those notes give you a clear place to start a major-key melody.

E minor pentatonic uses degrees 1, flat 3, 4, 5 and flat 7. Its tonic chord is E-G-B. The two pentatonic sets share E and B, but the other three notes differ. When the chord is E minor, begin with the minor set; when it is E major, begin with the major set. Check longer notes against the accompaniment.

G sharp is the third of an E-major chord; G natural is the third of E minor. Both versions retain E and B as anchors.

A five-note set leaves gaps compared with a seven-note scale. Neither common major nor common minor pentatonic version has a half step between adjacent scale notes. That gives you room to build small phrases, although it does not guarantee that every note fits every chord. Pentatonic and Blues Scales explains the two formulas and their limits.

Play E-G sharp-B together, then E-G-B. Next use F sharp-C sharp in a major phrase and A-D in a minor phrase to hear that more than the third has changed.

For an added passing note in the minor set, continue to E Blues Scale.