pentatonic scale

[Sune]

Hello, is this right?

E--0--3--5--7--10--12--15--17--19--22-----------------E
B--0--3--5--8--10--12--15--17--20--22-----------------B
G--0--2--4--7--9---12--14--16--19--22-----------------G
D--0--2--5--7--9---12--14--17--19--22-----------------D
A--0--2--5--7--9---12--14--17--19--22-----------------A
E--0--3--5--7--10--12--15--17--19--22-----------------E

I've read that it's called "E minor pentatonic", but the E minor thing, doesn't it just refer to that I'm in E tuning?? Sorry, but I don't know much theory, I'm more about the playing techniques normally.

 

[Sune]

Re: pentatonic scale

Or Should I just learn these pentatonic scales, one by one?:

A C D E G A C D E G A C
1 4 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 4 1 4
-------------------------------5--8---------------
-------------------------5--8---------------------
-------------------5--7---------------------------
-------------5--7---------------------------------
-------5--7---------------------------------------
-5--8---------------------------------------------

A Pentatonic minor Pattern 2 (C D E G A)


C D E G A C D E G A C D
2 4 1 4 1 4 1 3 2 4 2 4
-----------------------------------8--10----------
----------------------------8--10-----------------
----------------------7--9------------------------
---------------7--10------------------------------
--------7--10-------------------------------------
-8--10--------------------------------------------

A Pentatonic minor Pattern 3 (D E G A C)

D E G A C D E G A C D E
1 3 1 3 1 3 1 4 1 4 1 3
----------------------------------------10--12----
--------------------------------10--13------------
-------------------------9--12--------------------
-----------------10--12---------------------------
---------10--12-----------------------------------
-10--12-------------------------------------------


A Pentatonic minor Pattern 4 (E G A C D)

E G A C D E G A C D E G
1 4 1 4 1 3 1 3 2 4 1 4
-----------------------------------------12--15---
---------------------------------13--15-----------
-------------------------12--14-------------------
-----------------12--14---------------------------
---------12--15-----------------------------------
-12--15-------------------------------------------


A Pentatonic minor Pattern 5 (G A C D E)

G A C D E G A C D E G A
2 4 1 4 1 4 1 4 2 4 2 4
-----------------------------------------15--17---
---------------------------------15--17-----------
-------------------------14--17-------------------
-----------------14--17---------------------------
---------15--17-----------------------------------
-15--17-------------------------------------------

 

[pac112]

Re: pentatonic scale

i think one by one is better to learn.

 

[Sune]

Re: pentatonic scale

Good, that was what I thought.

 

[HamerPlyr]

Re: pentatonic scale

You're on the right track if you learn this scale (and others, later) all over the neck, to the point where you play from one into another, jump into another position far away on the neck, etc.. Learn them one at a time and realize that they're all the same notes, just in different places or in different octaves.

You'll be much better off learning the theory behind this and what notes you're playing, not just where they are on the neck by position. Trust me- I'm fairly ignorant and I wish that I had the discipline to learn more than I have.

 

[ShredFetus]

Re: pentatonic scale

the E minor thing, doesn't it just refer to that I'm in E tuning??

It meams that E is the root (first) note of the scale.

Once you learn the pattern/shape of a scale, you can move it basically anywhere on the fretboard. So you could take your "Pattern #4" E minor pentatonic, move it down two frets and it becomes a D minor pentatonic.

 

[Jeff Seal]

Re: pentatonic scale

Sune, it would probably be most beneficial to start with a Minor Pentatonic in a key other than E, as it calls for "open notes"... I would suggest starting with a much more basic pentatonic scale layout like: key of Am... X=root or key of scale....and always a good starting point.


E............. 5th fret(X), 8th fret
B............. 5th fret, 8th fret
G..............5th fret, 7th fret
D..............5th fret, 7th fret(X)
A..............5th fret, 7th fret
E..............5th fret(X), 8th fret

this way, the scale starts with the first note on either the high or low E as the root note for the scale.... also requires little hand movement from string to string as common ground is found in the 5th fret, and a definite plus for building up speed!

Although this is minor pentatonic at it's "rawest" and mastered by very few to it's fullest extent....SRV rarely strayed from it, Angus almost never strays from it!!!

.... keeping in mind key changes behind solos are what really makes solos stand out and sometimes staying with the same note throught the key change is quite impressive enough.

There are quite a few "passing notes" within the scale to allow for runs to be almost seamless, although the additional notes are not really considered anchor notes within the scale. As you may have gathered "passing notes" are exactly that.. notes that "fit" in runs from one note to another within the original scale..... these include (still in the key of Am)

E..............5th fret(X), 7th fret, 8th fret
B..............5th fret, 7th fret, 8th fret

G..............5th fret, 6th fret, 7th fret
OR...............................................> never both ^ ascending v descending
G..............5th fret, 7th fret, 8th fret

D..............5th fret, 6th fret, 7th fret(X)
A..............5th fret, 6th fret, 7th fret
E..............5th fret, 7th fret, 8th fret

Hopefully, this wasn't too "simplistic" as I don't know your abilities.....(and most certainly not implied as the only way.... )

Jeff Seal

 

[firebirdVII]

Re: pentatonic scale

I may be wrong, but I recall that major and minor scales have distinct patterns of whole steps and half steps. I learned all of my musical theory in school band, and at piano lessons, but I'm pretty sure it all translates the same.

 

[danglybanger]

Re: pentatonic scale

If you started out by playing the piano and know black key logic, C will be easiest just remember that B and C, and E and F are both half steps away and you'll be fine.

Then it's not too much of a stretch to get into G... which many popular songs are in.

Really just remember the intervals and the root notes to get a basic understanding, have a pattern you can move anywhere on the fretboard.

slade

 

[pac112]

Re: pentatonic scale

now its more threads like these that we need!! Kudos!

 

[Sune]

Re: pentatonic scale

Thank you for al your help, even though it is a bit hard to understand in english, but if I learn the different scales I posted earlier, and learn what notes and what key I am actually playing, don't you think I'll be alright then? The reason why I'm very interested in the pentatonic scales in particular is because of Tony Iommi :burnout:

I love his black sabbath work, BUT, his new cd "Fused" is totally addictive, with monster heavy riffs and really great playing from Tony. He's 60 years old but still friggin heavy and awesome, and can outplay most young guys. Who say's it can't be friggin heavy and kind of simplistic without being nu metal? - at least Tony proves so on his new record.

I need to learn the pentatonic scales in and out, so I can create my own music in the same vein of the music he has created using it. :beerchug:

 

[ShredFetus]

Re: pentatonic scale

Once you have memorised the pattern for the scale, if you have any kind of basic recording gear (4 track or computer software etc.) record a simple jam track for yourself. Make up a real simple song with a few chords in the keys you want to solo in. Practising over the top of this will really help you get comfortable, loosen up and get creative with you solos, instead of just going up and down the boring scale!

If you can't record anything, choose a slow instrumental song youd like to play over. Pentatonic scales kind of have a way of suiting most things they are played on top of, so you'll be surprised at what you come up with!

This might seem basic or obvious, but things like this really helped me out!

Good luck and have fun!!!

 

[Sune]

Re: pentatonic scale

Thank you for your advice, and even though as you say, it might seem obvious, but it sounds like fun, and if you can have fun and develop your skills at the same time, then what is better than that?