bass scale

C# Major Pentatonic on Bass

The C# Major Pentatonic (C#, D#, F, 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.

notesC#D#FG#A#
formula · 1 2 3 5 6 · root: C#/Db
fretstap a note to hear it ♪
bass fretboard diagramhighlighted notes: C#, D#, F, G#, A#0123456789101112GDAEG#A#C#D#FD#FG#A#C#A#C#D#FG#FG#A#C#D#enter notes in the field below, e.g. C, F#, Bb
open in BassMapper: play along with MIDI →

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#, F, 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.

more scales in C#

C# Major ScaleC# Minor ScaleC# Minor PentatonicC# Blues ScaleC# Dorian ModeC# Mixolydian ModeC# Chromatic Scale

Major Pentatonic in other keys

C Major PentatonicD Major PentatonicD# Major PentatonicE Major PentatonicF Major PentatonicF# Major PentatonicG Major PentatonicG# Major PentatonicA Major PentatonicA# Major PentatonicB Major Pentatonic
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