Check Your Connections!
Three Multi-Pentatonic Sequences in Minor 3rds
Three Multi-Pentatonic Sequences in Minor 3rds
As an improviser, the ability to create and smoothly resolve a melodic line between shifting harmonies is about knowing where to "connect the dots".
One off the smoothest and most common of these "dot connectors" is the melodic resolution by a half or whole-step between harmonies.
This can be especially effective when dealing with a harmonic progression which doesn't resolve up or down in Perfect 4ths or 5ths (as does a ii-V7-I); moving instead in Major or minor 3rds, for example.
One off the smoothest and most common of these "dot connectors" is the melodic resolution by a half or whole-step between harmonies.
This can be especially effective when dealing with a harmonic progression which doesn't resolve up or down in Perfect 4ths or 5ths (as does a ii-V7-I); moving instead in Major or minor 3rds, for example.
In this post, we'll take a look at three sequences, made up of Pentatonic scales descending in minor 3rds. Because the interval of a minor 3rd (3 semitones) divides the octave (12 semitones) into four equal parts (12 / 3 = 4), there are four unique Pentatonic scales per Diminished Cycle - of which there are 3 per octave - accounting for all 12 Pentatonics.
The following sequence (Ex. 1) illustrates a series of four parallel Pentatonic configurations, a measure apiece, descending in minor 3rds. Each Pentatonic connects to the next by an ascending half-step (minor 2nd).
Ex. 1 - 4 descending Pentatonics, a minor 3rd part, connected by an ascending half-step (relative min Penta in parenthesis).
The following sequence (Ex. 1) illustrates a series of four parallel Pentatonic configurations, a measure apiece, descending in minor 3rds. Each Pentatonic connects to the next by an ascending half-step (minor 2nd).
Ex. 1 - 4 descending Pentatonics, a minor 3rd part, connected by an ascending half-step (relative min Penta in parenthesis).
The premise is the same in Ex. 2. Here the contour is a bit more jagged, as rests and triplets are employed to break up the constant flow of eighth-notes. The connection point between measures is a descending half-step.
Ex. 2 - 4 descending Pentatonics, a minor 3rd part, connected by an descending half-step.
Ex. 2 - 4 descending Pentatonics, a minor 3rd part, connected by an descending half-step.
Ex. 3 takes a completely different route. The two-bar sequences, with a pair of 4-note groupings per measure, represent each of the 4 Pentatonics in that particular descending Diminished Cycle (of which - remember - there are three). In this example, the cycle is F, D, B & Ab Major Pentatonic.
As you (should) know, a Major Pentatonic Scale can be viewed as:
1) The Root - 2nd - 3rd - 5th - 6th scale degrees of a Major Scale.
2) A Major Scale with the 4th & 7th scale degrees (tritone) removed.
3) Four consecutive Perfect 5ths ascending (or Perfect 4ths descending) from the Root
(C-G-D-A-E = C Maj Pentatonic).
Because these "digital cells", consist of only 4 notes, a single note needs to be left out from each (5-note) Pentatonic. As the root of each Pentatonic descends in minor 3rds, the line itself continues to ascend.
The connection point between each subsequent Pentatonic, in this case, becomes the next available ascending note belonging the next descending Pentatonic in the cycle. In the example below, the first cell (F Maj Penta) begins on the note D, the 6th scale degree of F Major. The next 4-note cell begins on the next available ascending note in the chromatic pallet belonging to D Maj Penta (a min 3rd below F Maj) is E, followed by the notes F#-A-B, comprising the 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 6th scale steps of D Major. F#, the 5th scale degree of B Major, kicks off the next cell, followed by Ab, the root of Ab Major.
The next 2-bars continue as the next ascending melodic inversion of this descending Diminished Cycle (F-D-B-Ab). For the full picture, download the free pdf via the link below..
The numbers underneath each 4-note grouping represent the scale steps of that Pentatonic's Major Scale.
Ex. 3 - The first 2 bars of a multi-pentatonic ascending line, over a descending diminished harmonic cycle, using 4-note "digital cells".
As you (should) know, a Major Pentatonic Scale can be viewed as:
1) The Root - 2nd - 3rd - 5th - 6th scale degrees of a Major Scale.
2) A Major Scale with the 4th & 7th scale degrees (tritone) removed.
3) Four consecutive Perfect 5ths ascending (or Perfect 4ths descending) from the Root
(C-G-D-A-E = C Maj Pentatonic).
Because these "digital cells", consist of only 4 notes, a single note needs to be left out from each (5-note) Pentatonic. As the root of each Pentatonic descends in minor 3rds, the line itself continues to ascend.
The connection point between each subsequent Pentatonic, in this case, becomes the next available ascending note belonging the next descending Pentatonic in the cycle. In the example below, the first cell (F Maj Penta) begins on the note D, the 6th scale degree of F Major. The next 4-note cell begins on the next available ascending note in the chromatic pallet belonging to D Maj Penta (a min 3rd below F Maj) is E, followed by the notes F#-A-B, comprising the 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 6th scale steps of D Major. F#, the 5th scale degree of B Major, kicks off the next cell, followed by Ab, the root of Ab Major.
The next 2-bars continue as the next ascending melodic inversion of this descending Diminished Cycle (F-D-B-Ab). For the full picture, download the free pdf via the link below..
The numbers underneath each 4-note grouping represent the scale steps of that Pentatonic's Major Scale.
Ex. 3 - The first 2 bars of a multi-pentatonic ascending line, over a descending diminished harmonic cycle, using 4-note "digital cells".
6 1 2 3 2 3 5 6 5 6 1 2 1 2 3 5 1 2 3 5 3 5 6 1 6 1 2 3 2 3 5 6
Listen
(line repeats after 4th measure in audio)
(line repeats after 4th measure in audio)
B. Stern
For an even deeper dive, the following Shortbooks™
are recommended and available for immediate download.
are recommended and available for immediate download.
Checkout is SSL safe and secure through my E-Junkie Online Store and PayPal.
RSS Feed
