A Major Pentatonic Ukulele Scale
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagram
A Major Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A Major Pentatonic scale is a universal five-note scale found in almost every musical culture. On Ukulele, 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
Also known as: pentatonic
How to Play A Major Pentatonic on Ukulele
On ukulele, find A on the open strings or work through the scale within a four-fret span. With 5 notes, this scale fits neatly on the ukulele's short fretboard without requiring large stretches.
The A Major Pentatonic scale contains 2 sharps (C#, F#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Practice the A Major Pentatonic scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 80 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 5 notes of the scale.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in A. Try a A5 - E5 - F#5 progression.
Ukulele Tips
The compact fretboard of the ukulele makes the A Major Pentatonic scale easy to visualize in a single position. Use this to your advantage by memorizing the scale shape relative to chord shapes you already know.
The A Major Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (A, B, C#, E, F#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for A Major Pentatonic
The A Major Pentatonic scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 5-note pentatonic scale, 2-notes-per-string patterns are the most ergonomic way to traverse the fretboard. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore A Major Pentatonic Further
- Harmonize the A Major Pentatonic scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- A Major Pentatonic on Guitar
- A Major Pentatonic on Bass
- A Major Pentatonic on Piano