Pentatonics

Today on @yamahamusicusa #silentbass and @laklamdbasses Friday we continue the series on "What to Practice " with pentatonics. These scales are the most used, abused and underutilized scales, IMO. All you have to do is go to any music store, jam session or NAMM show and u hear them ad nauseum. The issue becomes is many know how to play the shapes, but don't necessarily understand their full potential. There are countless tutorials and methods on how to memorize a myriad of finger patterns and color coded charts. But few, IMO, talk about application and benefit of these scales. Pentatonics are basically arpeggios with color tones...major (R-2-3-5-6) minor (R-b3-4-5-b7). They allow for more melodic lines, interest and extended harmony. By knowing these scales AS NOTES...ALL OVER THE NECK, their benefits can be realized (I say this a lot). Ok, how? First, as we did with arpeggios, write out all the major amd minor pentatonics. Take one each day. Learn them as notes and find them all over the neck. Not just root to root, but lowest note on the board to the highest note. Try to stay away from patterns as much as you can. Now, take a tune or chord progression. Play pentatonics over each chord. First in order to hear the different notes against the harmony, then construct your own bassline. Try to stay away from patterns or licks as much as you can. Compare it to playing arpeggios. Hear the difference? Again, hearing what each note does for you harmonically and melodically goes a long way to helping you create more purposeful and creative music. As always, I invite your insights. #yamahamusicusa #make waves #pirastro #glasserny #laklandbasses #sitstrings #tsunamicables #philjonesbass #uptonbassstringinstrumentcompany #basslessons #remotelessons