Pentatonic Scales

The word pentatonic is derived from penta, mean-
ing five, and tonic, referring to tones. Thus, a penta-
tonic scale is a five-note scale.
The use of pentatonic scales is quite common in
all forms of contemporary music, and especially so in
improvisation, for example, John Coltrane's solo on
"Giant Steps" from the album Giant Steps.
Pentatonic scales can be used in both bass lines
and solo material. Although they are diatonic, there is
an inherent tonal ambiguity due to their "incomplete-
ness" as compared to a seven-note chord-scale.
There are many possible pentatonic scales. Some
of the most common ones are: diatonic, peiog, hira-
joshi, and kumoi. These last three are derived from
Japanese music, much of which is based on the notes
of these scales.

Diatonic

e D "
e ...
( )

II
Pelog

abe b"
( ).. II
Hirajoshi

e""
( ...
)
Kumoi

e h"
( . .)

" D
II 0 II

Each scales has its own inversions.

Diatonic
-eo e-.Q.
2: e a " e
II "
" e a " e
II
Root position 1st inversion 2nd 3rd 4th

Pelog
e-
tJ: be ho
II
h
II

Hirajoshi
r

""
"
II
:: ePa II

Kumoi
e
_1 I
e'o " ,"(1 II
Play each scale and its inversions.

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