pentatonic scales


favored five note scales reviewed


This all came about one day when I realized that could extract familiar bluesy sounds from the dominant diminished scale. Not surprisingly, many of these licks could be boiled down to five note scales and, in fact, seemed to be more representative of "blues scales" than what is generally touted as such. So realizing their potential, especially in context of the symmetric scale, I jotted them down with the intent of further exploration.

It was later that I wondered, with so many possible five note scales (exactly 330 - assuming 12 notes to choose from), if the best scales - the ones which, from my perspective, seemed to hold the most promise (roughly 25) - shared similar qualities. And, indeed, noticed that my favorites tended to follow certain criteria:

* They include a perfect (usually) or diminished fifth and,

* a major or minor third above the tonic. Therefore, each scale strongly suggests a familiar harmonic quality.

* They are derivative of one or more of the five "prime scales " (some also fit symmetric scales as mentioned above).

* There are no more than two half steps per scale. No consecutive half steps.

* There are no scale leaps greater than a major third.

Nomenclature
With a few obvious exceptions, and due to the lack of any definitive nomenclature, I assumed the administrative authority to name the scales listed here. I did, however, aim for consistency and feel that the names are otherwise easy to associate with the parent scales or via some other salient quality.
Also note that similar pentatonic scales used in other cultures (ragas, gamelan, etc.) are not based on the western tempered tuning system and furthermore their application is often dependent on factors not relevant to western improvised music. Therefore, I feel relying on a cross cultural system to name scales would be erroneous, confusing and, ultimately, pointless.

A mini-guide to my system for naming:
- most scales with a leading tone to the root are labeled "tonic"
- "blue" scales are derived from the dominant diminished scale and have very familiar "blues" quality.
- "harmonic" scales have a flatted sixth
- "lydian" scales have a leading tone to the fifth
- "dominant" scales include a major third and flatted seventh

Pentatonic Scales
I'll defer analysis and suggested application of this material to the discoverer. However, I have included a few ascending and descending forms on pages two through four.

page 1
page 2
page 3
page 4


Links:
Andrew Milne website - the tonal centre - for a detailed insight into scale theory
Wayne Krantz' book available from his website "An Improviser's OS" - for a reference list of "formulas" (scales)
guitarist help page of scales

links elsewhere on this page:
- the math used to calculate the number of pentatonic scales
- the five "Prime Scales "

Why pentatonic?
They are arguably the smallest complete melodic unit possible, easy to remember, and as individual entities have many more potential applications than their parent scales.

Disclaimer and general belief regarding scales and scale theory:
Scales per se exist only as theoretical entities. It's the map - not the destination. Please use cautiously and keep out of the reach of children.


Posted: Tue - April 24, 2007 at 06:30 PM          

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