Asian music pentatonic notes

A pentatonic scale is a musical scale with five notes per octave , in contrast to the heptatonic scale more familiar to Western tradition that has seven notes per octave such as the major scale and minor scale. Pentatonic scales were developed independently by many ancient civilizations—an indication that pentatonic scales are based upon a naturally occurring phenomenon. There are two types of pentatonic scales: those with semitones hemitonic and those without anhemitonic. Examples of its use include Chopin 's Etude in G-flat major, op. Musicology commonly classifies pentatonic scales as either hemitonic or anhemitonic. Hemitonic scales contain one or more semitones and anhemitonic scales do not contain semitones.

As implied by its name, this scale is suitable for playing Chinese music see also the Oriental Scale. The Chinese scales are sometimes used in jazz improvisation. The Chinese Scale has a quite uncommon feature in the two quadra-steps: first to second note and fourth to fifth note. Another peculiar detail is that a harmony note is added to every single note in the scale see below. The Chinese Scales can be played with harmony added to every note.

The Occidental scale, devised by Pythagoras and perfected by Bach, has been the basis for musical composition in the Western World. However, it is not the only scale that is used when composing music. The Middle East, for example, has a vast number of scales that sound particular to the Western ear.

As implied by its name, this scale is suitable for playing Chinese music see also the Oriental Scale. The Chinese scales are sometimes used in jazz improvisation. The Chinese Scale has a quite uncommon feature in the two quadra-steps: first to second note and fourth to fifth note. Another peculiar detail is that a harmony note is added to every single note in the scale see below. The Chinese Scales can be played with harmony added to every note.