C Major Pentatonic Scale, for guitar

Major pentatonic scale, the Key of C.

If you’re after information about the E minor pentatonic scale and how to connect their positions – instead, click here.

The C Major pentatonic scale.

If you’re learning guitar, the major pentatonic scale is an essential tool to develop your dexterity. The minor pentatonic in the key of E is often one of the first scales guitarists learn thanks to its simplicity and melodic versatility.

We’re going to break down what a major scale on the guitar is and how to create a major pentatonic scale from any major scale position and how to connect each.

What is the Major Pentatonic Scale?

The major pentatonic scale is a five-note scale that uses notes from the standard major scale. While the major scale contains seven notes, the pentatonic scale removes two notes to create a simplified, yet incredibly effective scale that works in various musical contexts, especially improvisation.

The notes of the C major pentatonic scale are:

  • C (root)
  • D (2nd)
  • E (3rd)
  • G (5th)
  • A (6th)

Notice how the pentatonic scale skips the 4th (F) and 7th (B) notes of the C major scale, resulting in a more open, less tension-filled sound that fits well in genres like rock, blues, country, and pop.

The Major Scale in the Key of C

Before diving into the major pentatonic scale, we’re going to learn the C major scale which we’ll then use as a template for the pentatonic scale. The C major scale follows this simple pattern, which has no sharps nor flats:

C, D, E, F, G, A, B

This is the standard major guitar scale in the key of C, and it’s based on a pattern of whole and half steps (W-W-H-W-W-W-H), where “W” stands for a whole step and “H” for a half step. If you prefer English (UK), ‘Whole Step’ is the same as ‘Tone’ and ‘Half Step’ is the same as Semi-Tone.

One of the benefits of learning the major scale in the key of C is that it contains no sharps or flats, making it an ideal starting point for beginners.

By learning the C major scale, you’ll gain a strong understanding of musical theory and improve your ability to navigate the fretboard.

The C Major Pentatonic Scale on Guitar (one octave)

The C major pentatonic scale can be played in several positions on the guitar. Here’s a common pattern for the C major pentatonic scale starting on Fret 8.

The numbers within the circle represent the intervals but you should start with finger 2.

This is the C Major pentatonic scale in it’s simplest form without any open strings involved, starting on fret 8 – string 6. . Likewise with the Minor Pentatonic, you can play the C major pentatonic scale in different areas of the fretboard.

Why the Pentatonic Scale is Essential for Guitarists

By removing the 4th and 7th notes, the pentatonic scale creates a more harmonious sound that’s less likely to clash with chords or melodies.

For soloing, the pentatonic scale is a go-to because its simplicity allows you to play fast, fluid licks without worrying too much about hitting dissonant notes. If you’re improvising in the key of C, the C major pentatonic scale will give you a safe, melodic framework to work with.

If you wanted to change key, you’d use the same shape, but you’d start from that route note. For example, the C# major pentatonic would start from fret 9.

How to Incorporate Major Guitar Scales into Your Playing

Once you’re comfortable with the theory behind the major pentatonic scale and the major scale in the key of C, you can begin to understand how to connect the different positions of the same scale across the fretboard.

Before we do that, here are some thoughts on how to use the major pentatonic scale:

  1. Melodic Soloing: Use the C major pentatonic scale to craft simple, melodic solos over chord progressions in the key of C. Because the pentatonic scale avoids the more dissonant notes, your solos will sound smooth and pleasant to the ear.
  2. Connecting Scales with Chords: Practice linking your scale patterns with the chords in the key of C. For example, you can use the C major pentatonic scale to solo over a C major chord, or even over a progression like C, F, and G.
  3. Improvisation: Once you’ve memorized the scale shapes, try improvising over backing tracks in the key of C. Focus on playing melodies that highlight the strong notes of the C major scale (C, E, and G), and experiment with using the D and A notes to add flavour. Think about how you transition from one note to the next you can use: hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, long rhythms, staccato rhythms, legato etc.

Connect the 5 main major pentatonic positions

Firstly, we need to learn the different positions that you can play the C major pentatonic scale in. If you know your A minor pentatonic positions, you’re already half way there to knowing your C major pentatonic positions.

Position VIII

We read these chord / scale charts left to right & bottom to top (ascending) and right to left – top to bottom descending.

Position X

This particular position for the ‘C major pentatonic’ scale actually starts on string 4, fret 10. Think of the notes before as ‘connecting notes’.

Position V

You’d be forgiven for thinking this scale diagram is the ‘A minor pentatonic’ scale. In fact, it’s the ‘C major pentatonic scale’ which starts on string 6 fret 8. (5 notes per octave).

A relative key signature is where the minor and the major key share the same number of sharps and flats. For A minor and C major they share 0 sharps nor flats.

If you know how to play the ‘A minor pentatonic’ scale you therefore also know how to play the ‘C Major Pentatonic’ scale. It’s the staring & ‘finishing’ note which changes; from A to C.

Position XII

Again, you’d almost be forgiven for thinking this is the E minor pentatonic scale because we’re starting in position 12. There are a couple of note changes to accomodate the C major scale if you’re trying to recognise the pattern differences.

As before, we’re starting on the C note making the previous notes ‘connecting’ notes.

‘C major pentatonic scale’, complete.

Using the CAGED system, can you recognise the major chord shapes C major, A major, G Major, E major and D major within the above scale diagram?

Final Thoughts

Scales are useful for expanding the knowledge of the fretboard and thought process when improvising which in turn helps your dexterity. Finger dexterity is a combination of factors that result in being more efficient across the fretboard.

So, grab your guitar, start practicing, and soon you’ll see how these essential scales can transform your playing!

Enjoy this article?

Why not give the facebook page a like?