Major Pentatonic vs Major (Ionian)
The C major pentatonic and the C major (ionian) share 5 notes — C, D, E, G, A. From there, the C major (ionian) adds F, B.
Piano, C3 to C5. Notes in this scale, low to high: C3 (root of C Major Pentatonic and root of C Major (Ionian)), D3 (2 of C Major Pentatonic and 2 of C Major (Ionian)), E3 (3 of C Major Pentatonic and 3 of C Major (Ionian)), F3 (4), G3 (5 of C Major Pentatonic and 5 of C Major (Ionian)), A3 (6 of C Major Pentatonic and 6 of C Major (Ionian)), B3 (7), C4 (root of C Major Pentatonic and root of C Major (Ionian)), D4 (2 of C Major Pentatonic and 2 of C Major (Ionian)), E4 (3 of C Major Pentatonic and 3 of C Major (Ionian)), F4 (4), G4 (5 of C Major Pentatonic and 5 of C Major (Ionian)), A4 (6 of C Major Pentatonic and 6 of C Major (Ionian)), B4 (7), C5 (root of C Major Pentatonic and root of C Major (Ionian)).
Both scales above are drawn on one piano keyboard in the key of C. Notes belonging to both are drawn as a split two-color dot, so the notes they share and the notes unique to each are visible in one picture.
How the formulas differ
Scale degrees are the key-independent way to compare two scales — these stay the same in every key, and they are what actually distinguishes one scale from another.
| Scale | Degrees |
|---|---|
| Major Pentatonic | R · 2 · 3 · 5 · 6 |
| Major (Ionian) | R · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 |
Notes in common
| Note | In Major Pentatonic | In Major (Ionian) |
|---|---|---|
| C | R | R |
| D | 2 | 2 |
| E | 3 | 3 |
| G | 5 | 5 |
| A | 6 | 6 |
Notes that differ
- Only in the major (ionian): F (4), B (7)