The power of the pentatonic scale
The pentatonic scale is a scale consisting of five notes.
The pentatonic scale has a special place in our workshops. The combination of pentatonic and Magic Flute appear to be made for each other. To make music that sounds good has never been this easy. Why? Let’s start with the fundamental reason: the pentatonic scale that we use has no semitones. Therefore, music using these notes naturally sounds good, all notes go together well. It’s great to improvise using a scale which always sounds this good. A 4-year old can create a piece of music effortlessly.
Much more music lays hidden within the pentatonic scale. The teacher or coach will need to learn some extra theory. Is this difficult or boring? No, it isn’t.
For whom is this workshop intended?
Mostly for teachers, music therapists and other coaches. But also for Magic Flute players who use the computer to compose music or who play in a band.
As said, in this workshop we make use of the pentatonic scale. The fourth scale of the Magic Flute is such a pentatonic scale.
Scale 4 Blues 1
G3 A3 C4 D4 E4 G4 A4 C5 D5 E5 G5 A5
Important
Using this scale, you can play both in Minor and in Major. Have a look:
Am pentatonic
G3 A3 C4 D4 E4 G4 A4 C5 D5 E5 G5 A5…
C pentatonic
G3 A3 C4 D4 E4 G4 A4 C5 D5 E5 G5 A5…
On the piano it looks like this:
This lesson is about using chords when using the pentatonic scale. But first, we’ll watch this video.
1. Improvising in Am
In the first part of the video we use 3 chords:
Am – Dm – Em
Am
Dm
Em
Using three chords is not a rule however. One might use only Am, or use only two chords. Am and Dm would then be the most obvious ones.
2. Improvising in A
In the second part of the video we use 3 chords:
A – D – E
A
D
E
We’re playing blues changes. As a matter of fact, some of these notes don’t quite fit, but when playing the blues that just sounds great.
3. Improvising in C
In the third part of the video we use 3 chords:
C – F – G.
C
G
F
Lots of songs have been written which employ these three chords. The Magic Flute player can play along (improvise) effortlessly with these tunes. Whether it’s “Jingle Bells” or “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”, it will always fit. Even a beginning musician can play in the school band or take part in the annual Christmas concert.
Important
Using the pentatonic scale you can play along (improvise) with a lot of existing songs.
But within the C – F – G changes other chords may fit as well. Am and Dm are obvious ones. Bb is less obvious but will work too.
4. Improvisering in Am7
In the fourth part of the video we use multiple chords. They will be described below. Most of these chords consist of four notes. I gathered this information from jazz theory.
In the video, I play the root of the chord with the left hand. I play the chord with the right hand. Often I play the chord notes one by one. Using the sustain pedal helps to make them sound together nicely.
I start with a very common Am7 – Fm7 – Dm7 progression, which I follow with one of the chords listed below. I just listen what they sound like together, and to their color. This is fun to do and can be surprising and exciting.
Am7 – Fmaj7 – Dm7 – Cmaj7 – Bbmaj7 – C9 – Gm7 – F#7alt.
Am7
Fmaj7
Dm7
Cmaj7
Bbmaj7
C9
Gm7
F#7alt
Ray Nicovs example solo MyBreath2
The changes:
4/4 – A minor
||: Am7 | Am7 | G7sus4 | G7sus4 :|| (2x)
||: Em7 | Em7 | Dm7 | Dm7 :|| (2x)
||: Am7 | Am7 | G7sus4 | G7sus4 :|| (2x)
||: Em7 | Em7 | Dm7 | Dm7 :|| (2x)
||: Gsus4 | Asus4 | C7sus4 | D7sus4 :|| 3x
|| Gsus4 | Asus4 | C7sus4 | E7 (#9) :||
This progression is repeated three times (vorm = 3x A A B).
Finally even this …
There’s more. When we go up four notes in a scale we’re talking about a fourth. Going up in fourths can be used in chord progressions. E.g., in Am – Dm – G – C – F you go up a fourth each time.
So, from Am to Dm is a fourth. From Dm to G is a fourth, etc.
Going up in fourths is often used in pop music. We can make use of this in our chord progressions. Study the changes to “Hotel Calfornia” (verse), “Hello” (chorus), “I will survive” (entire tune) and “Still got the blues” (intro). Improvisation using the pentatonic scale will sound just fine with this kind of chord progression.
Extra – for the advanced musician – scale hopping
Improvisation using pentatonic scales is frequently used in jazz. In jazz, the key of a piece of music may change. A good soloist will then just hop from one pentatonic scale to the next one. A beautiful example of this technique is “So What” by Miles Davis. It consists of a short catchy lick. After a number of repeats it’s raised by a semitone, and then, after a few repeats, it’s lowered by a semitone again. The middle part is one long improvisation where this key change is also employed.
In the new operating system (starting with. O.S. December 2010) it’s possible to transpose scales while playing. It’s even possible to hop to an entirely different scale on-the-fly. To do this, use the switch which came with the Magic Flute.
Good luck!
Ruud van der Wel 2011
Workshop Magic Flute
1. Improvisation on the Magic Flute
2. Choice of notes and note usage
3. Playing songs for beginners
4. The power of the pentatonic scale
5. Turn your computer into a Magic Flute sound module
6. “Jazz up your switch”
7. Working with the iPad in combination with the Magic Flute