F Pentatonic Scale
F pentatonic can mean two five-note scales. The major version is F, G, A, C, D; the minor version is F, A flat, B flat, C, E flat. The name needs a qualifier because both begin on F but use different notes.
- Major: F-G-A-C-D
- Minor: F-A flat-B flat-C-E flat
- Five notes in either version
Which notes should you use?
F major pentatonic takes degrees 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 of the F major scale. Its three-note tonic chord is F-A-C. Those notes give you a clear place to start a major-key melody.
F minor pentatonic uses degrees 1, flat 3, 4, 5 and flat 7. Its tonic chord is F-A flat-C. The two pentatonic sets share F and C, but the other three notes differ. When the chord is F minor, begin with the minor set; when it is F major, begin with the major set. Check longer notes against the accompaniment.
What changes at the keyboard?
The major set is F major without B flat and E. The minor set comes from F natural minor without G and D flat.
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.
Try a comparison
Play F-A-C, then F-A flat-C. Follow with G-D over the first chord and B flat-E flat over the second, listening for the notes that color each phrase.
For an added passing note in the minor set, continue to F Blues Scale.
Keep going
Every pentatonic and blues scale
- C Blues Scale
- C Pentatonic Scale
- C# Blues Scale
- C# Pentatonic Scale
- D Blues Scale
- D Pentatonic Scale
- Eb Blues Scale
- Eb Pentatonic Scale
- E Blues Scale
- E Pentatonic Scale
- F Blues Scale
- F Pentatonic Scale
- F# Blues Scale
- F# Pentatonic Scale
- G Blues Scale
- G Pentatonic Scale
- Ab Blues Scale
- Ab Pentatonic Scale
- A Blues Scale
- A Pentatonic Scale
- Bb Blues Scale
- Bb Pentatonic Scale
- B Blues Scale
- B Pentatonic Scale