C major pentatonic scale on ukulele
The C major pentatonic scale has the notes C D E G A. Five notes of the major scale, without the two that clash the most (the 4th and 7th degrees). Almost nothing sounds wrong over the chords of the key: the easiest way to start improvising in a major key, in country, folk and pop.
Notes and degrees
| Note | C | D | E | G | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Degree | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 |
In the first five frets
Standard G C E A tuning (high G). The number is the fret; 0 is the open string.
| String | Frets (note) |
|---|---|
| G | 0 (G) · 2 (A) · 5 (C) |
| C | 0 (C) · 2 (D) · 4 (E) |
| E | 0 (E) · 3 (G) · 5 (A) |
| A | 0 (A) · 3 (C) · 5 (D) |
Chords that fit
Over these chords the scale sounds in key. Aim for each chord's notes on the strong beats.
- CI
- Dmii
- Emiii
- FIV
- GV
- Amvi
How to use it
- Start and end your phrases on C: that is where the scale rests.
- Over C, the safest notes are the chord tones. In the app, they show in green.
- Move by neighboring steps and leave space between phrases; rhythm matters as much as the note.
See also: chords in the key of C major · C major