Pentatonic

Definition

Any five-note scale. In practice, the most common one is that on which much folk music is based, particularly Scottish and Celtic. The five notes could be C D E G A.

A musical example of a pentatonic melody

Examples

Listen to 'Auld Lang Syne' played on Bagpipes.

Pentatonic music used as a theme tune.

An interesting take on playing pentatonic scales – dancing up and down invisible notes.

Related concepts

• Scottish (N3)