Scale Charts › C Major Pentatonic scale

C Major Pentatonic scale on guitar

C Major Pentatonic is a five-note major scale with no half steps, so it is hard to hit a wrong note. Its notes are C, D, E, G and A (1 2 3 5 6). It gives country, southern rock and pop solos their sweet, open sound. The C roots sit at fret 8 on the low E string.

How to practice it

1. Start at fret 8 on the low E string and play the box from low to high and back.
2. Say or think the note names as you play until the roots jump out.
3. Play it over a backing track in the same key and aim for the root on strong beats.
4. Chords in the key: C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am and Bdim.

Questions

What notes are in the C Major Pentatonic scale?

C, D, E, G and A. The formula is 1 2 3 5 6.

Where do I start C Major Pentatonic on guitar?

Put your first finger on C at fret 8 of the low E string; the root is also at fret 3 of the A string. Learn that box first, then link it to the next one up the neck.

What is the relative minor of C Major Pentatonic?

A Minor Pentatonic. It uses the same notes starting from a different root.

Also try: A Minor Pentatonic scale · C Major scale · C Major · Scale Charts