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Thread: Pentatonic Scales Primer

  1. #1
    Registered User mbruno's Avatar
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    Default Pentatonic Scales Primer

    Hey all

    Today's mandolin technique focuses on the pentatonic scales. This is a primer lesson that covers the basic G major and E minor pentatonic scales.

    Mostly this focuses on what Pentatonic scales are, how to use the Circle of 5ths to figure out pentatonic scales, and using pentatonic blocks to help memorize positions etc.

    Full mandolin technique lesson is here - https://mattcbruno.com/2022/10/mando...atonic-scales/

    Happy picking!
    Information on lessons, gigs, and misc musical stuff: www.mattcbruno.com
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  3. #2
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pentatonic Scales Primer

    At the Fiddleheads workshop I went to, the instructor focused on the notes that are in common between the pentatonic scales for the roots of the chords in the progression. "Safe notes," she said. It was pretty safe. When it came around to my turn, I gave it a shot even though I was nervous as all heck. It wasn't terrible
    "To be obsessed with the destination is to remove the focus from where you are." Philip Toshio Sudo, Zen Guitar

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  5. #3
    Registered User mbruno's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pentatonic Scales Primer

    Quote Originally Posted by Sue Rieter View Post
    At the Fiddleheads workshop I went to, the instructor focused on the notes that are in common between the pentatonic scales for the roots of the chords in the progression. "Safe notes," she said. It was pretty safe. When it came around to my turn, I gave it a shot even though I was nervous as all heck. It wasn't terrible
    That's a great way to "play to the chords" - which is super helpful when you don't know the song well but want to take a break. I'm in the process of writing up a post on "playing to the chords" which will be followed by a workshop on that topic. Just gotta get through the Double Stop workshop coming up Saturday first

    The safe notes will sound good - but the real fun comes when you go to the danger zone of "off" notes Tension isn't found in the world of the safe haha. If you are feeling good with these scales already, try adding in the b3, b5, and b7 notes as well (in G, that'd be Bb, Db, and F). These will add some tension in which you can resolve by moving to a "safe" note.
    Information on lessons, gigs, and misc musical stuff: www.mattcbruno.com
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    Mando's in use
    Primary: Newson 2018
    Secondary: Gibson F9 2014
    Primary Electric: Jonathan Mann OSEMdc 5

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    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pentatonic Scales Primer

    I might've slipped out of the "safe zone" on accident

    Looking forward to your post.
    "To be obsessed with the destination is to remove the focus from where you are." Philip Toshio Sudo, Zen Guitar

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  9. #5
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pentatonic Scales Primer

    I love making fills, and sometimes solos, on the fly using the pentatonic scale, it’s safe and it sounds like I know what I’m doing sometimes, even though I really don’t. I highly recommend it for newbies and amateurs.
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    Registered User paulspafford's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pentatonic Scales Primer

    I’ve always preached the Circle of Fifths for beginners to find chords in a song, but I never knew it could be used for scales as well. So cool!

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    Registered User John Soper's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pentatonic Scales Primer

    In my playing, I often hit a lot of "accidentals".

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  15. #8
    Registered User mbruno's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pentatonic Scales Primer

    Quote Originally Posted by paulspafford View Post
    I’ve always preached the Circle of Fifths for beginners to find chords in a song, but I never knew it could be used for scales as well. So cool!
    The Circle is just such an onion of music - just so many layers I have another post I'm working on about harmonizing major scales and modes using the circle as well.

    My favorite part about using the Circle for the scales is seeing the relationship between the scales of a progression. Being able to see the common / different notes at a glance has been a great help to me in learning.

    LMK if you have any questions
    Information on lessons, gigs, and misc musical stuff: www.mattcbruno.com
    Weekly free Mandolin Lessons: www.mattcbruno.com/weekly-posts/
    My gear and recommendations: www.mattcbruno.com/gear-recommendations/
    Cooking fun: www.mattcbruno.com/quarantine-cookbook/


    Mando's in use
    Primary: Newson 2018
    Secondary: Gibson F9 2014
    Primary Electric: Jonathan Mann OSEMdc 5

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