© 2002
The letters P E N T are used in many words. PENTAGRAM, PENTAGON, and PENTATONIC, for a few of the words with that usage. It has to do with the number FIVE.
A Pentatonic scale consists of 5 different notes, no more, no less. The one we are acustomed to using is related to the major scale. The tones, and their names, are derived from the major scale and consist of the folowing: 1st = tonic, 2nd = super tonic, 3rd = mediant, 5th = dominant, 6th = sub mediant.
Examples in a specific key. The one key most people are familiar with is the key of C. Numerically the notes are identified as I = C = tonic, ii = D = super tonic,iii = E = mediant, IV = F = sub dominant, V = G = dominant, vi = A = sub mediant, vii = B = leading tone or sub tonic.
The pentatonic scale uses I = tonic, ii = super tonic, iii = mediant, V = dominant, vi = sub mediant.
In the key of C that means you need to use C, D, E, G and A. THESE ARE THE ONLY FIVE TONES FROM THE C MAJOR SCALE THAT NEED TO BE USED. THE FOURTH AND SEVENTH DEGREES OF THE MAJOR SCALE ARE OMITTED IN EVERY PENTATONIC SCALE.
When using a pentatonic you might say,,, "Hey! Wait a minute. I have a pentatonic scale I use, It starts on C and has different fingerings."
Unless all of the same notes are used, the pentatonic scale being referred to, would not be in the same key.
The notes would be different. Perhaps different strings used. Different frets. Different fingerings. For it to be the same, the exact same notes must be used.
