The Pentatonic scale (D E G A B) is a scale made up of only 5 notes. It is like playing on the piano with only the black keys. It sounds very Oriental and is actually a scale that is used in the music of many indigenous cultures such as in Balinese Gamelan music, with Native American flutes and appears in other countries in various different configurations. It is also used in Classical music to evoke an exotic flavor or create a simple melody line that has an ancient feeling. The Little Minstrel, and The Kinder Lyre, are designed to be fun and easy to play. Because the notes of the Pentatonic scale all harmonize with one another, there are no wrong notes! These instruments can be played together to create a small band and there will be no discord. You can add drums and other percussion instruments, and enjoy making music together. The notes of the scale are D E G A B, with the upper strings repeating the notes at a higher octave. Rudolf Steiner advocated the use of this scale for use with children to evoke the "mood of the fifth" and the Kinder Lyre is used extensively in Waldorf Schools and by Waldorf-oriented homeschooling parents with their children.