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E dominant pentatonic scale

The E dominant pentatonic scale is made of the notes E, F♯, G♯, B, D. It has 5 notes; compared with the major scale its formula is 1 2 3 5 ♭7.

Pentatonic · 5 notes

Note names
  1. 1E
  2. 2F♯
  3. 3G♯
  4. 5B
  5. ♭7D

PatternW – W – W+H – W+H – W(W = whole step, H = half step)

Five notes with no half steps: easy to use and found in every genre. Degrees are shown relative to the major scale: ♭3 is the third lowered by a half step, ♯4 the fourth raised.

Mode and chords

Five notes of the dominant chord: root, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and minor 7th. A major pentatonic with the ♭7 instead of the 6th, ideal over the 7 chord.

Used overE7E9

Put it into practice

The scale played in thirds over one octave: one of the exercises MEG generates from this scale.

This scale is not part of the demo: in the MEG app you will find it in every key, with 24 patterns.

Frequently asked questions

What are the notes of the E dominant pentatonic scale?
The notes are E, F♯, G♯, B, D.
What is the pattern of the E dominant pentatonic scale?
The sequence of steps is W – W – W+H – W+H – W (W = whole step, H = half step); compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 2 3 5 ♭7.
Which chords is the E dominant pentatonic scale used over?
It is used over E7, E9: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.