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I was, coincidentally, going back and relearning the pentatonic scale. I had just decided to do this about a week before your live stream. Talk about perfect timing!
What I was trying to ask during the Live stream but couldn't formulate my question. The blues scale is the same as the pentatonic scale but with the addition of the flattened 5th, of course.
Should a person:
1) Learn the pentatonic scale first, all 5 boxes, etc. Like most, I imagine, I am learning the scale in A min. So learn it thoroughly in A minor and then move it around as to know it in different scales. After one has the pentatonic scale mastered then add the blues "note". Master (relearn?) the pentatonic scale, each of the 5 boxes, with the "blue note" added.
or
2) Just learn the blues scale up front? It is, after all, just one more note. Learn all 6 notes in each of the 5 boxes. Then, of course, move those boxes around to know the different scales.
Looking forward to your thoughts on which approach would be best.
Posted : June 25, 2022 16:21
Ron, that is an excellent question!
My view on this is - learn both at the same time! I guess we can put it this way - learning the blues scale INCLUDES learning the pentatonic. However, you need to get to know ALL the notes in the scale (as well as the box).
A good way to practice is learn where G, A, C, D and E is in the A blues scale, starting with the first box. Next, which of these are chord tones for the chords in a blues in A? Do spend some time on this and ask questions if you get stuck!
Then, add the b5 (D#,Eb) to this, and blend it in with the rest of the notes. Experiment to see where it sounds cool, and where it does not sound cool. Figure WHY it doesn't sound cool (if that's how you feel).
Use this approach for each of the boxes.
I think it's more important to know 1 box/position really well, rather than 5 poorly. Hope that makes sense. Try to make music right away and avoid getting stuck in boring practice!
Posted : June 26, 2022 12:06
Topic starter
Thank you, Robert! I felt that probably learning both scales simultaneously was the way to go. but I'm glad hearing it from you. I do need to spend some time on "which of these are chord tones for the chords in a blues in A? Do spend some time on this......" I may have have further questions.
Thank you again.
Posted : June 27, 2022 17:44
robert reacted