Scales and sonorities of the 20th Century

The Pentatonic Scale

This type of scale comprises 5 tones and is formed by major 2^nds and minor 3^rds. This scale is mostly used in order to get an oriental sonority, but it could be also employed in other contexts. Note that in this scale we omit the 4^th and 7^th degree (of the major scale), the scale degrees that usually resolve to the 3^rd and octave as in the traditional harmony and counterpoint. In the minor scale we omit the 2^nd and 6^th degree.

Example 1: The Pentatonic Scales

Example 2: Modes of the Pentatonic Scales

C is the tonic	D is the tonic	E is the tonic	etc.

This scale can be transposed.

Example 3: