i think i'm stuck in pentatonics

[rashayritto]

i use the basic pentatonic shape EVERYWHERE and its the basis of everything i write. It hasnt failed me yet when it comes to creating different and sick sounding metal stuff. However i realize i'm trapped in pentatonics! as a result my 1, 3, and 4 fingers are awesome while my 2 finger is unused except for chordial work and some reversed pentatonic shapes.

any suggestions for scale shapes i should get familiar with for stuff that ranges from classic to modern metal?

 

[bigheadood]

Re: i think i'm stuck in pentatonics

Natural Minor. This one is in A
|------8--7--5------------------------------------------------
|---------------8--6--5---------------------------------------
|------------------------7--5--4------------------------------
|---------------------------------7--5------------------------
|---------------------------------------8--7--5---------------
|------------------------------------------------8--7--5------

|------------------------------------------------5--7--8------
|---------------------------------------5--6--8---------------
|------------------------------4--5--7------------------------
|------------------------5--7---------------------------------
|---------------5--7--8---------------------------------------
|------5--7--8------------------------------------------------

Go to http://www.all-guitar-chords.com
and you can look up all kinds of scales, chords, and arpeggios. Really cool site.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: i think i'm stuck in pentatonics

learn natural minor and major.

 

[cream123]

Re: i think i'm stuck in pentatonics

Just learn the major scale and go through ever one of it's positions (modes)


ie: in a G major scale go:
G A B C D E Gb G
then
A B C D E Gb G A
then
B C D E Gb G A B
etc

I suggest doing this in all twelve keys, once a night. You will know the major scale and all of it's modes like back of your hand.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: i think i'm stuck in pentatonics

I KNOW I'm stuck.

 

[gtrmansully1]

Re: i think i'm stuck in pentatonics

Cream, I know you're trying to give him some help in introducing him to modes but you're doing it all wrong! Its the most commmon misconception of how a mode is suppose to be played. If you just want to run through them in "scale form" then this is the way to go. Example one: A Gmaj scale is played GABCDEF#G. A G Dorian scale would not be played starting on A, but on G. Also, it would not really be a Gmaj scale anymore, but an Fmaj. The notes of a G Dorian scale would be GABbCDEFG. See? It changes everything! I don't have the time to find a link with the mode patters but they are VERY TRICKY! I'll type this out real quick and wish you the best of luck in understanding them!

C Ionian (1st degree): CDEFGABC
C Dorian (2nd degree): CDEbFGABbC
C Phrygian (3rd degree): CDbEbFGAbBbC
C Lydian (4th degree): CDEF#GABC
C Mixolydian (5th degree): CDEFGABbC
C Aeolian (6th degree/minor scale): CDEbFGAbBbC
C Locrian (7th degree): CDbEbFGbAbBbC

There is my very brief explanation of modes. Hope it gives you some insight into the wonderful world of music theory!

PS My email is bsullivan1983@yahoo.com if you have any questions you'd like me to answer. I wish you the best of luck!

 

[rashayritto]

Re: i think i'm stuck in pentatonics

thanks guys, i'm gonna start committing these to memory and see what i can do with them

 

[B2D]

Re: i think i'm stuck in pentatonics

I <3 Mixolydian and Lydian.

 

[cream123]

Re: i think i'm stuck in pentatonics

Cream, I know you're trying to give him some help in introducing him to modes but you're doing it all wrong! Its the most commmon misconception of how a mode is suppose to be played. If you just want to run through them in "scale form" then this is the way to go. Example one: A Gmaj scale is played GABCDEF#G. A G Dorian scale would not be played starting on A, but on G. Also, it would not really be a Gmaj scale anymore, but an Fmaj. The notes of a G Dorian scale would be GABbCDEFG. See? It changes everything! I don't have the time to find a link with the mode patters but they are VERY TRICKY! I'll type this out real quick and wish you the best of luck in understanding them!

C Ionian (1st degree): CDEFGABC
C Dorian (2nd degree): CDEbFGABbC
C Phrygian (3rd degree): CDbEbFGAbBbC
C Lydian (4th degree): CDEF#GABC
C Mixolydian (5th degree): CDEFGABbC
C Aeolian (6th degree/minor scale): CDEbFGAbBbC
C Locrian (7th degree): CDbEbFGbAbBbC

There is my very brief explanation of modes. Hope it gives you some insight into the wonderful world of music theory!

PS My email is bsullivan1983@yahoo.com if you have any questions you'd like me to answer. I wish you the best of luck!

Yeah, I wasn't really trying to teach him the theory of modes. I just found that it helps the comprehension of the scale and it's positions if you know it that well.....

 

[gtrmansully1]

Re: i think i'm stuck in pentatonics

Its all good. I knew you meant well, but I just had to bring up the "right" way to do it. Modes are one of the biggest things in theory that people get mixed up so every forum I'm on I try to set things straight just to clear up any questions. Its tough to understand if you aren't "fluent" in theory, but easily learnable through the right teachings. Just thought I'd put in my two cents worth. Have a good one guys!

- The example Cream left is a good way to get your patterns down, but just remember that a Gmaj Phrygian wouldn't start on B, but G, using the Phrygian pattern! Again, if you have any questions as to the proper and understandable teaching of modes feel free to email me.

-Sully

 

[doveman]

Re: i think i'm stuck in pentatonics

Scales are just one way to go. Consider arpeggios too but use an easier way to learn them ... PlaneTalk by Kirk Lorange is recommended. I think it's a good way to break the "scale rut". Add some spice.

Kirk posts here sometimes ... do a search. Check out some of his youtube videos ... that's all I'll say.

 

[\m/(00)\m/]

Re: i think i'm stuck in pentatonics

try chromatics.

I like them