COLUMNS
By Jason Raso
Keep Those Fives Alive !
The minor pentatonic scale is a staple for many guitar players . The pattern lies under the fingers nicely and sounds good over many styles , so it ’ s easy to see why ! There are so many classic guitar phrases using the pentatonic scale that it can be a challenge to keep it sounding fresh and exciting . Give these exercises a try and give your pentatonic patterns a little kick in the pants !
Ex . 1 shows a minor pentatonic scale descending in groups of five notes . Place an accent on the first note of each group . This creates a less predictable descending pattern . Don ’ t let the fives throw you , the rhythm is still eighth notes in 4 / 4 time .
Ex . 2 shows the scale descending by a group of five notes , followed by a group of four notes . Again , place an accent on the first note of each group . The rhythm is still eighth notes but the alternating groups of five and four create an interesting sound .
Once you have this pattern burned into your mind for eternity , try changing up the rhythm . For example , try descending in triplets or sixteenth notes . You got to change it up to keep those fives alive !
Ex . 1
Ex . 2
Jason Raso is a professional bass player and instructor from Guelph , ON . His latest book , Soloing on Electric Bass : A Chord Tone Approach , is available from MusicBooksPlus . com . Jason proudly endorses Aguilar amplification and D ’ Addario strings .
www . jasonrasomusic . com .
62 CANADIAN MUSICIAN