C major pentatonic scale on ukulele

C major pentatonic uses C, D, E, G, and A. Its Box 1 shape places the root on the fourth string, fifth fret.

Positions on the neck1 of 4

How it is built

C1D2E3G5A6

Formula 1, 2, 3, 5, 6

How do you play the C major pentatonic scale on ukulele?

C major pentatonic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 8 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the C string at fret 0 and the A string at fret 3.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (G)	0, 2	G, A
3 (C)	0, 2	C, D
2 (E)	0, 3	E, G
1 (A)	0, 3	A, C

Box 2 · frets 2–5

C major pentatonic in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D on the C string at fret 2 up to D on the A string at fret 5. The root falls on the G string at fret 5 and the A string at fret 3.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (G)	2, 5	A, C
3 (C)	2, 4	D, E
2 (E)	3, 5	G, A
1 (A)	3, 5	C, D

Box 4 · frets 7–10

C major pentatonic in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 8 notes across 4 strings, from G on the C string at fret 7 up to G on the A string at fret 10. The root falls on the E string at fret 8.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (G)	7, 9	D, E
3 (C)	7, 9	G, A
2 (E)	8, 10	C, D
1 (A)	7, 10	E, G

Box 5 · frets 9–12

C major pentatonic in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the C string at fret 12.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (G)	9, 12	E, G
3 (C)	9, 12	A, C
2 (E)	10, 12	D, E
1 (A)	10, 12	G, A

Why it sounds like that

C major pentatonic derives from C major by removing the fourth and seventh degrees. The parent scale C major contains F and B, which are left out here. The remaining intervals are 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6. See the full C major scale for comparison.

When to use it

C major pentatonic fits C major and C 5th chords. It also works over G 5th and A minor, common in folk and pop progressions. Use it for bright, singable lines in the key of C. Try it over a C major to G 5th progression.

Which position to practise

Learn Box 1 first: it keeps the root on the fourth string, fifth fret. This shape covers frets 0–3 and prepares you for the higher Box 2.

Common questions

Which notes are in C major pentatonic?

C major pentatonic contains C, D, E, G, and A. These are the 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 degrees of the C major scale. The fourth and seventh degrees are omitted.

Which chords does C major pentatonic work over?

C major pentatonic works over C major and C 5th chords. It also fits G 5th and A minor chords. These chords appear in many folk and pop progressions in the key of C.

How does C major pentatonic differ from C major?

C major pentatonic omits the fourth and seventh degrees of C major. The missing notes are F and B. This removal creates a brighter, more open sound.