pentatonic
adjective
pen·ta·ton·ic ˌpen-tə-ˈtä-nik 
: consisting of five tones
specifically : being or relating to a scale in which the tones are arranged like a major scale with the fourth and seventh tones omitted
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The pentatonic melodies and syncopated rhythms found within are some of the African influences that made the symphony a novel hybrid for its time. 
San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2022 The first five notes in the cycle form the pentatonic scale, which is used in the music of many ancient cultures. Eugenia Cheng, WSJ, 23 Dec. 2020 In the second, by contrast, Thibaudet turned inward, using the exotic colors of the pentatonic scale and intervals to craft a profound and haunting rumination. Zachary Lewis, cleveland, 6 Dec. 2019 Based on the traditional pentatonic scale, the work took on an otherworldly quality. Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2019 Some make references to traditional Chinese melodies, some to Chinese aesthetics or ideas — pentatonic scales, for example — and some to the kind of evocations of nature (mountains, flowers) that are widespread in Chinese culture. Jacob Dreyer, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2018 The chime's five notes, which correspond to a piano's black keys, make up the minor pentatonic scale. William Gurstelle, Popular Mechanics, 9 Feb. 2015 Chimes, painted black to fade into the shadows, are tuned to ring the pentatonic scale, according to Atlas Obscura. Cate Root, NOLA.com, 24 Aug. 2017 As their pentatonic melodies and Western harmonies recapitulate the cultural conflict, their lyrics achieve the pith and mystery of haiku. Jesse Green, New York Times, 4 May 2017 See More
San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2022 The first five notes in the cycle form the pentatonic scale, which is used in the music of many ancient cultures. Eugenia Cheng, WSJ, 23 Dec. 2020 In the second, by contrast, Thibaudet turned inward, using the exotic colors of the pentatonic scale and intervals to craft a profound and haunting rumination. Zachary Lewis, cleveland, 6 Dec. 2019 Based on the traditional pentatonic scale, the work took on an otherworldly quality. Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2019 Some make references to traditional Chinese melodies, some to Chinese aesthetics or ideas — pentatonic scales, for example — and some to the kind of evocations of nature (mountains, flowers) that are widespread in Chinese culture. Jacob Dreyer, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2018 The chime's five notes, which correspond to a piano's black keys, make up the minor pentatonic scale. William Gurstelle, Popular Mechanics, 9 Feb. 2015 Chimes, painted black to fade into the shadows, are tuned to ring the pentatonic scale, according to Atlas Obscura. Cate Root, NOLA.com, 24 Aug. 2017 As their pentatonic melodies and Western harmonies recapitulate the cultural conflict, their lyrics achieve the pith and mystery of haiku. Jesse Green, New York Times, 4 May 2017 See More Word History
First Known Use
1864, in the meaning defined above