2. Exploring Pentatonic Scales All Music © Alan J Currie

3. We are going to explore pentatonic music. “Penta” means five, as in pentagon. Pentatonic music is made up of five different notes.

4. Here is a pentatonic scale. It can begin on any note. Here we have F sharp (#), so the scale is called F# major pentatonic. Listen Again

5. These five note scales are the basis of many forms of music. They use the 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd, 5 th and 6 th notes of the scale, for example:

6. We are going to learn three simple pentatonic scales, these are C,F and G. C major pentatonic = C, D, E, G, A. Listen Again

7. F major pentatonic = F, G, A, C, D. Listen Again

8. G major pentatonic = G, A, B, D, E.

9. Time to get composing. Use the C major pentatonic scale. Don’t be afraid to experiment and experiment with short melodies. Listen carefully to what you create. Record your music!