How to get frequencies for the major and minor Pentatonic scales

How to Calculate Frequencies for Major and Minor Pentatonic Scales

The pentatonic scale is a widely used musical scale that consists of five notes per octave. It is a versatile and melodic scale that is commonly found in various genres of music. In this article, we will explore how to determine the frequencies for both major and minor pentatonic scales.

Major Pentatonic Scale

The major pentatonic scale is derived from a “normal” major scale by omitting the 4th and 7th notes. To calculate the frequencies for a major pentatonic scale, we need to identify the tones 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 relative to the corresponding major scale.

For example, let’s consider the key of A major. The A major scale includes the notes A, B, C#, D, E, F#, and G#. By omitting the 4th (D) and 7th (G#) notes, we are left with the following tones for the A major pentatonic scale: A, B, C#, E, and F#.

To determine the frequencies of these notes, we can refer to a frequency chart or use a formula to calculate the frequencies based on the fundamental frequency of the key note. The frequency of each note can be calculated by multiplying the fundamental frequency by the corresponding frequency ratio.

Minor Pentatonic Scale

The minor pentatonic scale is derived from a minor scale by omitting the 2nd and 6th notes. Similar to the major pentatonic scale, we need to identify the tones 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7 relative to the corresponding minor scale.

Let’s continue with the key of A, but this time in the minor scale. The A minor scale includes the notes A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. By omitting the 2nd (B) and 6th (F) notes, we obtain the following tones for the A minor pentatonic scale: A, C, D, E, and G.

Again, we can calculate the frequencies of these notes using a frequency chart or the formula mentioned earlier. Multiply the fundamental frequency of the key note (A) by the corresponding frequency ratio to determine the frequencies of the pentatonic scale notes.

Conclusion

In summary, the major pentatonic scale consists of tones 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 relative to a major scale, while the minor pentatonic scale uses tones 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7 relative to a minor scale. By understanding these relationships and using frequency calculations, it is possible to determine the frequencies for major and minor pentatonic scales in any key.

Sources:

• Music: Practice & Theory Stack Exchange. “How to get frequencies for the major and minor pentatonic scales.” Retrieved from https://music.stackexchange.com/questions/42212/how-to-get-frequencies-for-the-major-and-minor-pentatonic-scales.
• Healing Frequencies Music. “The Pentatonic Scale.” Retrieved from https://www.healingfrequenciesmusic.com/the-pentatonic-scale/.
• Yala Abdullah. “Music Scales – Frequency, Notes, Octaves, Tuning, Scales, Modes, Pentatonics, Transforms.” Retrieved from https://www.angelfire.com/in2/yala/t4scales.htm.

FAQs

How do I calculate the frequencies for the major pentatonic scale?

To calculate the frequencies for the major pentatonic scale, you need to determine the tones 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 relative to the corresponding major scale. Once you have identified these tones, you can use a frequency chart or a formula to calculate their frequencies based on the fundamental frequency of the key note.

What are the tones included in the major pentatonic scale in the key of A?

In the key of A major, the major pentatonic scale includes the notes A, B, C#, E, and F#. These notes are derived from the A major scale by omitting the 4th and 7th notes.

How do I determine the frequencies for the minor pentatonic scale?

To determine the frequencies for the minor pentatonic scale, you need to identify the tones 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7 relative to the corresponding minor scale. Once you have identified these tones, you can use a frequency chart or a formula to calculate their frequencies based on the fundamental frequency of the key note.

What are the tones included in the minor pentatonic scale in the key of A?

In the key of A minor, the minor pentatonic scale includes the notes A, C, D, E, and G. These notes are derived from the A minor scale by omitting the 2nd and 6th notes.

Can I use the same frequency chart for both major and minor pentatonic scales?

Yes, the same frequency chart can be used for both major and minor pentatonic scales. The only difference lies in the selection of tones based on the corresponding major or minor scales. Once you have determined the tones, you can refer to the frequency chart to calculate their frequencies.

Are there any specific formulas to calculate the frequencies of pentatonic scales?

There are various formulas available to calculate the frequencies of pentatonic scales. One common approach is to multiply the fundamental frequency of the key note by the corresponding frequency ratio for each tone in the scale. These formulas ensure that the frequencies of the notes in the pentatonic scale maintain the desired musical intervals.

Can I apply the frequency calculations to pentatonic scales in any key?

Yes, the frequency calculations for pentatonic scales can be applied to any key. By understanding the relationship between the tones in the pentatonic scale and the corresponding major or minor scale, you can calculate the frequencies for pentatonic scales in different keys.

Are there any online tools available to assist with calculating the frequencies of pentatonic scales?

Yes, there are online tools and software applications available that can assist with calculating the frequencies of pentatonic scales. These tools often provide frequency charts, calculators, and other resources to simplify the process of determining the frequencies for different scales and keys.