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pentatonic

pen-tuh-TON-ik

ˌpɛntəˈtɒnɪk

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Syllable breakdown

pentatonic

Dictionary meaning

Based on a scale of five notes per octave, found in folk music worldwide.

History and origin

Greek — 'penta' (five) + 'tonos' (tone).

Examples

  • Much of blues and rock improvisation uses the pentatonic scale as its foundation.

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