C Major Pentatonic on Bass
The C Major Pentatonic (C, D, E, G, A) shown across the full 4-string bass fretboard. Tap any note to hear it, or open it in BassMapper to play along with a MIDI file. Free, no account needed.
About the Major Pentatonic
The major pentatonic is the major scale stripped to five notes, dropping the two that create tension. What's left is open, singable, and hard to play a wrong note over, which is why it shows up all over country, folk, gospel, and pop basslines.
The fretboard above shows the C Major Pentatonic in every position at once. Open it in BassMapper and drop in a MIDI file to watch the scale light up on the neck in real time as a song plays.
questions
What notes are in the C Major Pentatonic?
The C Major Pentatonic contains C, D, E, G, A.
What does the Major Pentatonic sound like?
Open, warm and easygoing: the singalong sound of country, folk, and gospel.
How do I play the Major Pentatonic on bass?
It's forgiving: any note lands, so it's ideal for confident fills and countermelodies. Learn the five-note box shape and shift it to follow the chord.