How to Extend the Pentatonic Scale

Pentatonic XXL: How to extend the Pentatonic Scale (50 Exercises) (TGA Books)

by Total Guitar Academy

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	34900 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	47 pages

FREE

The pentatonic scale is a five-note scale that is commonly used in blues, rock, and country music. It is a versatile scale that can be used for both soloing and comping, and it is a great tool for beginners to learn. However, the pentatonic scale can also be limiting, and it can be helpful to know how to extend it beyond its basic form.

What is the Pentatonic Scale?

The pentatonic scale is a five-note scale that is made up of the following notes:

• Root
• Minor second
• Major third
• Perfect fourth
• Perfect fifth

The pentatonic scale can be played in any key, and it has a distinctive sound that is both bluesy and exotic. It is a great scale for beginners to learn because it is easy to play and it sounds good no matter what you do with it.

How to Extend the Pentatonic Scale

There are many different ways to extend the pentatonic scale. One common way is to add the minor sixth note. This creates a six-note scale that is known as the minor hexatonic scale. The minor hexatonic scale has a more complex sound than the pentatonic scale, and it can be used for a wider variety of musical styles.

Another way to extend the pentatonic scale is to add the major seventh note. This creates a seven-note scale that is known as the major heptatonic scale. The major heptatonic scale has a brighter sound than the pentatonic scale, and it can be used for a wider variety of musical styles.

You can also extend the pentatonic scale by adding other notes, such as the augmented second, the diminished third, or the perfect fourth. These notes can add a more exotic sound to the scale, and they can be used to create new and interesting melodies.

50 Exercises to Develop Your Guitar Playing

The following 50 exercises will help you develop your guitar playing skills and expand your musical vocabulary. Each exercise is designed to help you learn a different aspect of the pentatonic scale, and they will help you to play the scale in a variety of different ways.

Exercise 1: Play the pentatonic scale in all 12 keys

This exercise is a great way to get familiar with the pentatonic scale in all 12 keys. Start by playing the scale in the key of C, and then move up the chromatic scale, playing the scale in each key.

Exercise 2: Play the pentatonic scale in different positions

This exercise will help you to develop your fingerboard knowledge and your ability to play the pentatonic scale in different positions. Start by playing the scale in the first position, and then move up the neck, playing the scale in each position.

Exercise 3: Play the pentatonic scale using different picking patterns

This exercise will help you to develop your picking skills and your ability to play the pentatonic scale in a variety of different ways. Start by playing the scale using a simple down-up picking pattern, and then experiment with different picking patterns, such as alternate picking, economy picking, and sweep picking.

Exercise 4: Play the pentatonic scale over different chord progressions

This exercise will help you to develop your ability to use the pentatonic scale in a musical context. Start by playing the scale over a simple I-IV-V chord progression, and then experiment with different chord progressions, such as the blues progression, the minor pentatonic progression, and the major pentatonic progression.

Exercise 5: Play the pentatonic scale with different bends and slides

This exercise will help you to develop your bending and sliding techniques. Start by playing the scale with a simple bend on the minor third note, and then experiment with different bends and slides, such as the major third bend, the minor sixth bend, and the slide from the minor third to the major third.

These are just a few of the many exercises that you can use to develop your guitar playing skills and expand your musical vocabulary. By practicing these exercises regularly, you will become more proficient at playing the pentatonic scale, and you will be able to use it in a variety of different musical styles.

The pentatonic scale is a versatile and powerful tool that can be used to create a wide variety of music. By extending the pentatonic scale, you can expand your musical vocabulary and develop your guitar playing skills. The exercises in this article will help you to get started, and they will provide you with a solid foundation for further exploration.

Pentatonic XXL: How to extend the Pentatonic Scale (50 Exercises) (TGA Books)

by Total Guitar Academy

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	34900 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	47 pages

FREE