Improvisation Tools: Pentatonic
(21 Jun 02)
Ideas and Exercises
Rule number one for all exercises is to use a metronome. All examples are shown for the A minor pentatonic in fifth position. Be sure to practice them with all five patterns.
1) Up and Down
Variation 1
Variation 2
2) Sequences
Sequences are used a lot. They sound great because they break up the pentatonic into smaller subdivisions. As an example I'll now show a 4 note sequence, meaning that you play up 4 notes, think back 3 notes and play up 4 notes again, etc.
4 up / 3 back / 4 up ....
Watch out for the rolls that your first and third finger have to master in order to make the sequence sound clean.
Ascending
Descending
Another sequence that is commonly used is the 3 note sequence. Play three notes up, think back two , play three notes up, etc. (3 up / 2 back / 3 up ....)
Furthermore, you can check out 5 and 6 note sequences or any other number that you can think of.
3) Intervalic Sequences
Intervalic sequences are use primarily with scales. But I think they sound great applied to pentatonic. The formula for the example below is to skip a note, play the next one, think one step back and repeat the process. (Applied on a scale, this is known as "sequence in thirds"). The result is that you get mostly intervals of a perfect fourth and an "open" sound. (The exception is C to E , which is a major third.)
Again, watch out for the finger rolls ! Figure out how this sequence works descending.
Other intervalic sequences you could try:
skip 2 notes - mostly fifth
skip 3 notes - mostly sevenths
skip 4 notes - all intervals are octaves
4) String skipping
There are a lot of possibilities to incorporate this technique. It's a great way to create interesting lines. Experiment !
5) Start again with exercise 1 and incorporate Hammer-ons and Pull-offs where you think it is appropriate.
6) Start again with exercise 1 and play all exercises with different rhythmic subdivisions other than eight notes,e.g. triplets, sixteenth, etc....
7) Start again with exercise 1 and ask yourself: "Do I like that ?" . If yes put it into your "I could play" bag.
8) Write E- mail to the guy who told you to do all of this and ask him whether he is nuts to put such a load of work on your shoulders.
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