Hi fam,
Here is the next episode of The Improv Loop for you. This time we are talking about how to start using major pentatonic scales in your playing.
Up to this point, we’ve been focusing on using major arpeggios to play over major chords, but mixing in some major pentatonic scales can make your playing more interesting. ‘
The major arpeggio we’ve been using is made up of the root, 3rd, and 5th of the corresponding major scale. To create a major pentatonic scale, all we have to do is add the 2nd and 6th degree of the major scale to our arpeggio. That leaves us with the root, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th of the major scale. PENTAtonic = 5-note scale
In this lesson we are using a G major pentatonic scale to jam over a G major chord. The 2nd and 6th scale degrees of the major pentatonic scale can be looked at as passing or color tones when jamming over a single chord like this.
Learning how to use major pentatonic scales may seem cryptic at first, but there is an easy way to get started. First off, limit yourself to just the higher octave of the major pentatonic scale we are using in this lesson. This way you are less likely to end up just running up and down the scale over and over again. Now try walking up the arpeggio and then down the major pentatonic scale. Next, do the opposite. Play up the major pentatonic scale and down the arpeggio.
You can also apply the reactive improvisational ideas we covered in Episode #6. Just play anything you like and let your ear guide you as you play.
We’ve got a jam track in the style of the Allman Brothers for you. Is basically just a groove over a G major chord, so you can use a g major arpeggio and a G major pentatonic scale to improvise your own solos. Of course, you can create your own loop in this style too if you like.
Have fun, and let us know if this video lesson brings up any questions about improvisation. support@guitarfam.com
Nate
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