Gb Major pentatonic

A five-note scale without degrees 4 and 7 or any semitones; an open major sound.

Octaves

Musical context

How the scale relates to the chord, mode, key and progression.

Theory

General info

Name
Gb Major pentatonic
Family
Pentatonic scales
Note count
5
Step formula
W – W – W+H – W – W+H
Numeric formula
0-2-2-3-2-3

Notes & degrees

1Gbroot
2Abmajor 2nd
3Bbmajor 3rd
5Dbperfect 5th
6Ebmajor 6th

Construction

Overview
A five-note scale without degrees 4 and 7 or any semitones; an open major sound.
Application in music
Used over a major tonic and in melodies without semitone tendencies; compatibility with other chords depends on function.
Interval formula
Gb
W
Ab
W
Bb
WH
Db
W
Eb

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IGbpoint of resttonic
VDbsupports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

IGbGb
IIAbAb
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how Gb Major pentatonic looks on guitar.

Explore

Circle of fifths

The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.

CAmGEmDBmAF#mEC#mBG#mF#D#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmF#major
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
6 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.

Open Trainer

Frequently Asked Questions