I find this to be an excellent warm-up type exercise and an aid for gaining facility with the Pentatonic b2 scale. The Pentatonic b2, as advertised, is a Major Pentatonic scale with a lowered 2nd degree (in C: C-Db-E-G-A). It can be considered to be derived from the diminished scale, which generates four distinct Penta b2's.
The "soul" of this scale, however, is in its fifth mode, which in C, would start on A (A-C-Db-E-G). Hearing A` as the root then gives us a Maj / min 3rd inherent Blues quality. It can also spell out an A7 #9 (C#-E-G-C, with A in the bass), the "Funk Man's delight".
As a 2 measure exercise, Jerry Bergonzi's formulas (from his book "Vol 2 - Pentatonics" - Advance Music) #5 (ascending) or #1 (descending) are used for the first bar, with the scale moving, in the second measure, back in the opposite direction in diatonic 3rds.
Each 2 bar segment represents one of the 5 pentatonic "modes".
The repeat signs should definitely be put into effect here, as the idea of this exercise is to loop each 2 bar phrase ad infinitum at a tempo that is comfortable, gradually increasing the speed as the phrase becomes part of your nervous system.
This scheme can be used with any pentatonic scale.
The "soul" of this scale, however, is in its fifth mode, which in C, would start on A (A-C-Db-E-G). Hearing A` as the root then gives us a Maj / min 3rd inherent Blues quality. It can also spell out an A7 #9 (C#-E-G-C, with A in the bass), the "Funk Man's delight".
As a 2 measure exercise, Jerry Bergonzi's formulas (from his book "Vol 2 - Pentatonics" - Advance Music) #5 (ascending) or #1 (descending) are used for the first bar, with the scale moving, in the second measure, back in the opposite direction in diatonic 3rds.
Each 2 bar segment represents one of the 5 pentatonic "modes".
The repeat signs should definitely be put into effect here, as the idea of this exercise is to loop each 2 bar phrase ad infinitum at a tempo that is comfortable, gradually increasing the speed as the phrase becomes part of your nervous system.
This scheme can be used with any pentatonic scale.
B. Stern
RSS Feed
