G major pentatonic scale on ukulele
The G major pentatonic scale has the notes G A B D E. 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 | G | A | B | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) · 4 (B) |
| C | 2 (D) · 4 (E) |
| E | 0 (E) · 3 (G) · 5 (A) |
| A | 0 (A) · 2 (B) · 5 (D) |
Chords that fit
Over these chords the scale sounds in key. Aim for each chord's notes on the strong beats.
- GI
- Amii
- Bmiii
- CIV
- DV
- Emvi
How to use it
- Start and end your phrases on G: that is where the scale rests.
- Over G, 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 G major · G major · G minor pentatonic