C Batti Major Sharp Five Piano Scale
Piano scale diagramIntermediate
C Batti Major Sharp Five Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C Batti Major Sharp Five scale is an Ethiopian pentatonic with a raised fifth degree that introduces an augmented quality rare among five-note scales, stretching the intervals into expansive, exotic territory. On Piano, its notes are C, E, F, Ab, B. Remarkably, the same scale appears independently in Romanian folk music as Bacovia, suggesting either ancient cultural contact or a striking convergence of musical evolution across continents. Commonly used in Ethiopian, Romanian Folk, World, Experimental. Notable players include Mulatu Astatke. Use over augmented and Maj7#5 chords. The raised 5th pushes the pentatonic beyond its usual consonant comfort zone into more tense, exotic territory.
Notes: C, E, F, Ab, B
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 4P, 6m, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 3 b4 5
Formula: 4-H-WH-WH-H
Number of notes: 5
Musical Character
A pentatonic with a raised 5th degree, creating an augmented quality rare in pentatonic scales. The wide intervals produce an expansive, stretching sensation. Also appears in Romanian folk music under the name Bacovia.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Ethiopian, Romanian Folk, World, Experimental
Notable players: Mulatu Astatke
How to Use the C Batti Major Sharp Five Scale
Use over augmented and Maj7#5 chords. The raised 5th pushes the pentatonic beyond its usual consonant comfort zone into more tense, exotic territory.
Origin & Background
From the Ethiopian kiñit system, this variant of the Batti major family features a raised 5th degree. Remarkably, the same scale appears independently in Romanian folk music, where it is known as Bacovia. This parallel suggests either ancient cultural contact or a convergent musical evolution.
How to Play C Batti Major Sharp Five on Piano
On piano, the C Batti Major Sharp Five scale uses 1 black key. Start with your thumb on C and use the black keys as landmarks for consistent finger placement. Standard major or minor fingering patterns apply.
The C Batti Major Sharp Five scale contains 1 flat (Ab). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Begin by playing the C Batti Major Sharp Five scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (C-F, E-Ab) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in C. Try a C5 - Ab5 - B5 progression. This scale is especially effective in romanian folk contexts.
Piano Tips
On piano, practice the C Batti Major Sharp Five scale hands together in contrary motion (one hand ascending, the other descending). This builds independence and strengthens your awareness of the scale's symmetry. Aim for a bright quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The C Batti Major Sharp Five scale contains 5 notes (C, E, F, Ab, B). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each shape and pattern on Piano. Practice ascending and descending from the root note to learn the sound of this scale.