Melody

Minor Pentatonic Scales for Improvisation

While the primary goal of most beginning jazz improvisers is to learn to “play the changes,” pentatonic scales can be a wonderful way to begin focusing on elements of improvisation other than just the notes. In some contexts, pentatonic scales can allow the improviser to be guided more by ear than by thought, and to focus on tone production, rhythm, and creating melodies that make sense before taking on the task of “making the changes.” 

Blues Scales Part 1

While the number of different “blues scales” in existence is up for debate, this lesson will focus on what is commonly called the “minor blues scale” (the name used in this lesson) or simply “the blues scale.”