pentatonic scale
1
7.0
- noun
- /ˌpɛntəˈtɒnɪk skeɪl/
- Specialized
:
escala pentatónica
- The melody of many folk songs is based on a pentatonic scale, which often gives them a unique, haunting sound.
- notes of the pentatonic scale
- Using a pentatonic scale
- rhythm in a pentatonic scale
Well, I learned that E minor pentatonic scale that Jimi Hendrix plays over the chord progression CGDAE.
- Well, I learned that E minor pentatonic scale that Jimi Hendrix plays over the chord progression CGDAE.
- I love that using that major minor pentatonic scale together, it's amazing.
Examples
-
Add in improvisation on the pentatonic scale (F, G, A, C, D).
Academic text (2015) -
Depending on the students' musical background, the melody might be composed using only the pentatonic scale.
Academic text (1995) -
Play any pitch in a pentatonic scale.
Academic text (2015) -
For arm position and bow control, the pentatonic scale, beginning on A, is excellent for violins.
Academic text (1996) -
"Arirang" is played using a pentatonic scale, so with these six notes, you can play the entire melody.
Academic text (2013) -
After students learn the pentatonic scale, use the tonic note of a melody as a drone.
Academic text (1997) -
Have students improvise on the notes of the pentatonic scale of la-do-re-mi-so-la.
Academic text (1996) -
Melodic learning occurs initially without reference to a harmonic framework, using songs in the pentatonic scale.
Academic text (1997) -
Assign sol-fa syllables based on the pentatonic scale and sing it.
Academic text (2015) -
When teaching beginners, many music instructors recommend starting with a pentatonic scale to build foundational skills.
Synonyms
Five notes that form a simple musical scale for making melodies in folk and Asian music
How Many
- Specialized
1
7.4
- Specialized
1
6.0
- Specialized
1
3.2
- Specialized
1
7.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The adjective 'pentatonic' explicitly denotes a five-note structure and 'scale' denotes an ordered series of pitches; together they compositionally mean 'a scale of five notes'. This is a straightforward modifier + noun combination and is cross-linguistically transparent, so a learner who knows both constituents will understand the expression.
Etymology
Pentatonic scale comes from Greek words penta meaning 'five' and tonic meaning 'tone', so it is a scale made of five notes. Think of a musical ladder with only five steps. That image helps explain why it sounds simple and open and is used in many folk songs.