Explore scales · Bass
C major pentatonic scale on bass guitar
C major pentatonic contains C, D, E, G, and A. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 3 and string 1, fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
How do you play the C major pentatonic scale on bass?
C major pentatonic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A on the G string at fret 2. The root falls on the A string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 3 | E, G |
| 3 (A) | 0, 3 | A, C |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 1 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
C major pentatonic in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 8 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the E string at fret 8 and the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 8 | A, C |
| 3 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 1 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
Why it sounds like that
C major pentatonic drops the fourth and seventh degrees from C major, leaving 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6. The intervals are 0, 2, 4, 7, and 9 semitones, producing steps of W, W, 1½, W, 1½. This five-note structure avoids half-step dissonance.
When to use it
C major pentatonic fits C major and C 5th chords. It works over C major progressions and is common in pop and rock bass lines.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root under your first finger on string 3, fret 3 and covers frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in C major pentatonic?
C major pentatonic contains C, D, E, G, and A. These are the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th degrees of C major. The scale omits the 4th and 7th degrees.
Which chords does C major pentatonic fit?
C major pentatonic fits C major and C 5th chords. It also works over C major progressions. Use it for bass lines in major keys.
How do I practise C major pentatonic?
Start with Box 1 and play the notes ascending and descending. Use a metronome at 60 bpm and gradually increase speed. Connect to Box 2 by shifting to the next root position.