In this section, you’ll find the starting pattern for each
of the 330 pentatonic scales possible from permutating all available intervals
into sets of five notes with the same root. As I mentioned earlier,
it’s not necessary to learn all these scale shapes as the practice of finding groups of intervals and playing combinations
you probably haven’t explored before will do wonders for your improvisation
skills. I think you’ll find it liberating for your fingers as well as your
mind.
Remember, you can always take a scale you like the sound of and explore
it further by mapping out the five patterns, and don’t dismiss the ones with 3
or 4 semi-tones in a row; use these to practice chromatic playing with a
metronome or beat. All scale examples are in A with the intervals marked on the
diagram so that you can easily transpose them to other root notes. I wouldn’t
suggest playing the scales in the order they’re laid out here; instead,
choose a random page and if you find one you like, spend some time with it, ask
yourself if you can find a use for it, or a chord that it works with. Try
coming up with riffs and licks, record yourself and listen back, and above all be creative.
Next: Scales 11-20
Share this