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In Defense of Pentatonic Scales
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Oliver
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September 11, 2011 - 9:45 pm
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There was a recent posting by MGN about pentatonic scales but I would guess that most people were less than thrilled with more scales dazed  However, these scales in skilled hands become very important and useful music.  I will try to demonstrate.
The pentatonic scales are really over-lays to existing music for purposes of improvising and therefore adding appeal to the original music.  Over-laying means to match the chord structure of the original music but not copying the melody.    .   The first clip is hastily made melody.  The second clip will be the pentatonic scale over-lay.  The third is everything together.  (A veritable "jam" (c'mon dazed

A pro can do magic with these pentatonic scales but simple applications are well within the reach of amateurs. 

I guess the point is that maybe the pentatonic scales are worth a second look?

When you come to a fork in the road, take it.

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David Burns
Winfield, Missouri

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September 12, 2011 - 6:14 am
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That's really cool, Oliver. I get the idea of improvisation, I am just not very original. I get nervous going off the paved road. Kind of a stickler for rules and instructions. I see sheet music as instructions and I am not real familiar with music to begin with. I also feel I can't improve on someone else's work. I can see where it could be a lot of fun though. Hopefully in time I can put improvisation to work and make some multitrack recordings of my own.

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Oliver
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September 12, 2011 - 7:12 am
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I think that the notion of improvising is something that develops with time and confidence but it is useful to be familiar with the available tools (scales) and these tools can be nurtured by practice even without being applied.

If a passage calls for a B minor sound then that requires that the player be familiar with that run.  In addition to pentatonic scales, there are also the jazzier sounds of FM's Dorian scales.  What would jazz be without improvisation !!

I'm only now trying to memorize the main pentatonic scales and I could listen to the "blues" version all day smile  Maybe I'll get somewhere by Thanksgiving frown

coffee2

When you come to a fork in the road, take it.

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myguitarnow
Laguna Beach

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September 12, 2011 - 8:12 pm
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Sounding good Oliver...

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gStretch

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September 12, 2011 - 8:31 pm
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the videos or audios aren't playing. any suggestions?

-g

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
September 12, 2011 - 8:56 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
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You may need to install a quicktime plug-in.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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David Burns
Winfield, Missouri

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September 12, 2011 - 9:17 pm
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gStretch said:

the videos or audios aren't playing. any suggestions?

-g

I thought they would not load too, but I looked down at the bottom left of the browser window (Firefox) and it said transferring data from fiddle.....so I waited a few minutes and viola! (pun intended) Three sound clips loaded. It is worth the wait, Oliver throwing down some fiddle improv. 

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Oliver
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September 12, 2011 - 11:02 pm
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My reputation stands unblemished.  I can foul up any computer application or program including standards like Quick Time.  I also have to wait for it to load on those MP3's but I'm used to a world of glitches anyway.

coffee2

When you come to a fork in the road, take it.

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myguitarnow
Laguna Beach

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September 12, 2011 - 11:47 pm
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Plays as soon as I hit play. And Oliver your recording skills (don't take this wrong) or lack there of make those pentatonic scales shine. It sounds like all of those good old recordings of real southern comfort and old western movies. Really sounds good…

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
September 13, 2011 - 7:44 am
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Maybe Oliver is available for hire for making old sounding recordings. rofl

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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Oliver
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September 13, 2011 - 8:45 am
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My musical authority is basically Woody Allen.

coffee2

When you come to a fork in the road, take it.

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myguitarnow
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September 13, 2011 - 5:25 pm
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For sure. I've been in professional studios that use plugins to get that old time record sound.

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Oliver
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September 13, 2011 - 5:42 pm
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Truth is that I have neither the knowledge or patience to produce anything resembling a good recording but that was never a focus for me.

I do like recording myself as an educational tool, which I think is very valuable and there isn't much substitute for that.

coffee2

 

When you come to a fork in the road, take it.

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myguitarnow
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September 13, 2011 - 9:26 pm
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That's the truth...No matter how your recordings sound it won't make you a better player.

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Oliver
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September 13, 2011 - 10:25 pm
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That's not true.  After hearing my mistakes I make corrections which propels me to the next level where my mistakes become even worse but I think (hope) that the net result is progress.

As Mark Twain said "His music is not as bad as it sounds !"

 

When you come to a fork in the road, take it.

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