Pentatonic scale
What Pentatonic scale means in Music A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Pentatonic scale
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Reference: AQA
Contains five notes per octave, and the major pentatonic avoids semitones and tritones, producing a stable, consonant sound often used to evoke folk music.
A five-note scale widely used in jazz for both melody and improvisation, with major and minor forms.
A five-note scale widely used in pop music for melodies, riffs, and improvisations.
Topics that use Pentatonic scale
- Area of study 2: Pop music - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
- Area of study 5: Jazz - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
- Area of study 7: Art music since 1910 - Musical elements (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
Using Pentatonic scale in the exam
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