What is the correct term for the "common" pentatonic scale?

Question

So a "pentatonic" scale is just any scale with 5 scale degrees (pitches). Yet, in most music we always just seem to assume that it's the scale with the following number of semitones (half steps) between each degree: 2,2,3,2,3. I've read about the different modes of this scale, achieved by starting the scale on different degrees to achieve a different feel giving us, e.g., major and minor pentatonic scales). But what is the actual term for this general pentatonic scale, regardless of mode? And are there other named pentatonic scales, possibly used by different cultures?

To make a comparison, the diatonic scale is a specific heptatonic scale with intervals 2,2,1,2,2,2,1, and therefore 7 different modes. But there are other heptatonic scales that also have 7 modes. Likewise, there is a specific pentatonic scale with intervals 2,2,3,2,3, and therefore 5 different modes. What is that scale called?

Answer 1

All scales, regardless of the number of pitches they contain, have modes. A mode is simply a rotation of the starting scale. For a heptatonic example, consider the harmonic minor scale: 2-1-2-2-1-3-1. It has seven unique modes.

The 2-2-3-2-3 pentatonic scale has 5 modes:

1. Major (2-2-3-2-3), most common
2. Egyptian (2-3-2-3-2)
3. Blues minor (3-2-3-2-2)
4. Blues major (2-3-2-2-3)
5. Minor (3-2-2-3-2), 2nd most common

These are all in the class of pentatonic scales labeled "anhemitonic", meaning that the scales contain no semitones. This term doesn't quite fit your requested definition though, as "anhemitonic pentatonic" could also refer to scales with other intervals, such as 2-4-2-2-2.

The term you're looking for doesn't exist. The pentatonic collection you're asking about is referred to by "anhemitonic pentatonic" or "major pentatonic" for the 1st mode. No musician would think of some other pentatonic scale with a different structure. It's the latter that would need a specialized term.

Answer 2

In answer to your header the "common" one would be pentatonic minor. Ask 100 guitarists and most would ask 'why, are there others?' Some may have extrapolated the 2nd most "common" - the major pentatonic, which is a mode (or is it the other way round..?) as both have a sensible reasoning behind their names - min. pent. has m3 (A>C in key Am) for example, while maj. pent. has at least M3 between ^1 and ^3 - C and E (in key C). A little contrived, but there we are.