Record or have a friend play the following standard twelve bar blues in C then – play the single note C Minor Pentatonic Scale in all possible positions (registers) and octaves. Remember to first play quarter notes then later eight notes. For understanding notes values follow link then scroll to bottom of page: 2008.08.11: Family Of Chords – Song Writing 101
Remember to refrain from playing at a tempo where each note is not performed clean and consistent.
Once comfortable gradually increase speed and move to eighth notes.
Standard 12 Bar Blues in C:
C7 //// //// //// //// F7 //// //// C7 //// //// G7 //// F7 //// C7 //// G7 //// 😐
Now the C Minor Pentatonic Scale the number formula is:
R, b3, 4, 5, b7, 8th/R or octave.
The notes are:
C, Eb, F, G, Bb, C
Now we will use a technique called sequencing . That is using a specific number of notes from the scale 2 notes, 3 notes, 4 notes, 5 notes, 6 notes etc.
Play descending or ascending up the scale (going up or down in tone).
First doing the scale descending:
Riff #1 = Eb, C, Bb
Riff #2 = C, Bb, G
Riff #3 = Bb, G, F
Riff #4 = G, F, Eb
Riff #5 = F, Eb, C
Riff #6 = Eb, C, Bb
Riff #7 = C, Bb, G
Riff #8 = Bb, G, F
Riff #9 = G, F, Eb
Riff #10 = F, Bb, C
- Learn as is
- Play up and back
- Transpose to all keys.
Now apply this same technique with 2,4,5 and 6 note sequences.
Then later all scales.
Stay tuned,
Vince Lauria