Pentatonic
DEFINITION
or five-note scale is formed by the black notes of the keyboard, or the white notes c, d, e, g and a-two whole tones, a minor third and a whole tone. This form of scale is the basis of folk melodies in many countries, from China to Scotland, and occasionally occurs, in passing at least, in the work of 20th century composers. It is an important element in the educational music of Carl Orff and in the choral method of the Hungarian composer Zoltan Kodaly.