Simply put, the pentatonic scale is a 5 note scale starting on the root note. The major pentatonic scale is simply the natural major (diatonic) scale with the 4th and 7th note removed. The minor pentatonic scale is the natural minor scale with the 2nd and 6th note removed. By not playing the two notes in the scale it then creates a 5 note scale called a pentatonic. Both major and minor pentatonic scales are often the scale of choice in rock, blues and country.