Definition

Noun: A musical scale consisting of five distinct pitches within an octave. It is characterized by the omission of specific notes found in a standard seven-note (diatonic) scale, most commonly the fourth and seventh scale degrees. This creates a scale with intervals that sound harmonious and is foundational in many musical traditions worldwide.

Usage

The term is used in music theory and practice to describe a specific, common five-note scale structure. It is often modified by an adjective to specify its type or cultural origin (e.g., major pentatonic scale, minor pentatonic scale, Chinese pentatonic scale).

Examples

• The melody was based on a simple pentatonic scale, giving it a folk-like quality.
• Many traditional Asian and Celtic tunes are built using a pentatonic scale.
• Blues and rock guitarists frequently use the minor pentatonic scale for solos.
• To create a more open sound, the composer omitted the fourth and seventh notes, effectively writing in a pentatonic scale.

Advanced Usage

• Anhemitonic Pentatonic Scale: A specific type of pentatonic scale that contains no semitones (half-steps). The major pentatonic scale (e.g., C-D-E-G-A) is a common example.
• The pentatonic scale is often described as "gapped" because it lacks the two notes that would complete the full diatonic set, creating its distinctive sound.

Variants and Related Words

• Major Pentatonic Scale: A pentatonic scale derived from the major scale, typically using scale degrees 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6.
• Minor Pentatonic Scale: A pentatonic scale derived from the natural minor scale, typically using scale degrees 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7.
• Pentatonic (adjective): Relating to or based on a pentatonic scale (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Five-note scale: A direct descriptive synonym.
• Gapped scale: A broader term for any scale with intervals larger than a second; the pentatonic scale is a specific type of gapped scale.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Stick to the pentatonic": Informal advice for improvisers, especially beginners, to use the pentatonic scale as it tends to sound consonant and avoid clashing with the underlying harmony.

Noun

1. a gapped scale with five notes; usually the fourth and seventh notes of the diatonic scale are omitted