A Major Pentatonic Guitar Scale — 7-string
Guitar scale in 7-string tuning — fretboard diagram
A Major Pentatonic in 7-string — Notes and Intervals
The A Major Pentatonic scale is a universal five-note scale found in almost every musical culture. On Guitar, it contains the notes A, B, C#, E, F#. It is extremely consonant and easy to listen to, making it the perfect choice for melodies in country, pop, and blues. Its open sound ensures that almost any note played will sound correct over major harmonies. Commonly used in Country, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk. Notable players include Keith Richards, B.B. King, John Mayer, Eric Clapton. Use over any major chord, major key progression, or dominant 7th chord. The safest and most universal soloing tool.
Notes: A, B, C#, E, F#
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 5P, 6M
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5
Formula: W-W-WH-W-WH
Number of notes: 5
Tuning: 7-string (B-E-A-D-G-B-E)
Also known as: pentatonic
About 7-string Tuning
The 7-string guitar adds a low B string below the standard 6-string tuning (B-E-A-D-G-B-E), extending the instrument's range into bass territory. This extra low end has become essential in progressive metal, djent, and modern heavy music, enabling crushing low-end riffs while maintaining access to standard guitar voicings on the upper strings.
Pioneered by jazz guitarist George Van Eps and later brought into the metal mainstream by Steve Vai and Korn, the 7-string guitar has become a staple of modern heavy music. Players like Tosin Abasi, Misha Mansoor, and John Petrucci have pushed the instrument's capabilities into new territory, using the extended range for complex harmonic progressions, polyrhythmic riffs, and sweeping arpeggios that span an enormous tonal range.
Notable artists: Dream Theater, Periphery, Animals as Leaders, Korn, Meshuggah
Best for: Progressive metal riffs, extended-range chord voicings, djent rhythms, and jazz fusion harmony
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- A Major Pentatonic in Standard Tuning
- A Major Pentatonic in Drop D
- A Major Pentatonic in DADGAD
- A Major Pentatonic in Open G
- A Major Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard)
- A Major Pentatonic in 8-string
- A Major Pentatonic in Drop C
- A Major Pentatonic in Drop B
- A Major Pentatonic in Open D
- A Major Pentatonic in Half Step Down
- A Major Pentatonic in Open E
- A Major Pentatonic in Open A
- A Major Pentatonic in Double Drop D
- A Major Pentatonic in Open C