The word pentatonic is referring to a particular type of scale. Pent means five so a pentatonic scale has five notes in it. There are mainly two types of pentatonic scales which are the Major Pentatonic and the Minor Pentatonic Scales. In my opinion pentatonic scales are over played by musicians in their solos. However if the musician uses it skillfully it can sound a whole lot more advanced than just a simple pentatonic scale. They are easy to play and if you really learn how to use the pentatonic scales they can really be a powerful tool in your musical arsenal.

In the key of C Major. The C major scale consists of notes C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C

C = #1 D =#2,
E= #3 F =#4
G =#5 A =#6
B =#7 C =#8

Within a major scale a Major Pentatonic Scale consists of the numbers 1, 2 , 3, 5, and 6
Therefore in the key of C Major the C Major Pentatonic Scale would be C, D ,E, G, and A

The Minor Pentatonic Scale consists of the number 1, b3, 4, 5, b7
Therefore in the key of C Major the C Minor Pentatonic Scale would be C, Eb, F, G, Bb

Minor Pentatonic Scales work well over minor chords or if you are trying to create a bluesy sound. Major Pentatonic work well over major chords.

I think that Art Tatum was one of the greatest musicians that has ever lived. He was extremely innovative, cutting edge and FAST! The thing you can’t forget is this guy was playing like this back in the 1930’s. If you really listen to him you’ll hear chords that we play today and think we are really doing something. Tatum was completely blind in one eye and legally blind in the other but he’s probably the cleanest and most accurate musician you’ll hear. I remember the first time I heard Tatum I thought how many people are there on the piano. I found out it was just him. He was the kind of musician that made you practice a whole lot harder or just want to give up! I believe if you stay humble its so much more out there you can learn. Tatum not only has taught us a lot with his music but he has also taught countless musicians the lesson of humility with his amazing playing ability. Check him out on a tune called Humouresque.  

Here are a few little lessons on some of the things that Tatum would do. Introduction to Tatum, Pentatonic Scales , Diatonic Devices, G Turn 

Check back tommorrow for a lesson on stride with the left hand.

Kenny Hollins

In college I was a music performance major with a concentration in jazz and studio music. So without saying I studied a lot of jazz. One assignment that I remember having was to do what was called transcribing a song. I had to listen to a CD and then by ear write out the notes of the song on staff paper. You then write down what chords are being played over those particular note. (C Maj, G7 ect.) Then I had to do what was called analyzing the notes. This was writing beside each note what number the note was in relation to the chord on top of it. Whether it was the 5th, b3rd, #11th or whatever. Then you had to play the song just like they played it. Here is an example of transcribing a tune for a horn player. This tune is by John Coltrane Called “Giant Steps.” Click Here.

Needless to say this was a LOT of work. But when I look back on that I think this really opened up a lot for me in my playing because I learned alot of things that I would not have learned other wise by just listening to the CD of just casually trying to learn how to play the song. Transcribing forced me to really look deep into the song and figure out note for note what the musician was really doing. I know alot of people don’t have the patience to do all of this but if you do it will pay off in the long run. Tim a friend of mine ask me a music question and made me think about this so I decided to place it on my blog. I figured it could help someone.

It you want to get started with this it’s good to start off with a transcription book which is just a book that someone has already transcribed the songs for you of a particular CD or song. You can go to your local music store that sells sheet music and they usually have transcription books. Find a book of an artist you think you could really learn something from and then get the exact CD for the song in that book. Get the exact version of the song that goes to the book. Some of my favorite piano transcription books were and still are books on Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, ., Art Tatum. One of my favorite sax transcription books is on and Charlie Parker (The Charlie Parker Omnibook) So much of what I do in my playing and songwriting came from transcribing these musicians.

You can begin listening to the song and see the notes being played in the book. See if you can figure out if the note is the 5th or b7th or whatever. It really makes you think and makes you more aware of what you are doing in your own playing. If you have any questions or comments about this subcribe to the blog. Its FREE and leave your question or comment and I will do my best to answer or respond to it. Happy transcribing

Kenny Hollins

CLICK THE WORD BELOW FOR THE DVD DOWNLOAD:

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For years I have had musician friends ask me to show them how to read chord changes. I thought it would be a great idea to put the information in a movie and make it easy for people to get. I have been able to play in some really cool situations because I know how to read chord symbols. Its a really good way to learn new songs because there are several books with your favorite songs in them written out with chord symbols. It’s great for communication among musicians. Its a whole lot easier to say the chord is a Fmin7 rather than saying play a F Ab C and Eb. Its also great for saving time in band rehearsal if everyone can read chord symbols. Songwriters can use the knowledge of reading chord symbols to help them write songs. This also could be a great way for those who want to learn to play piano to get started.

The movie is very detailed and is simple enough that anyone can understand it. Even if you don’t read music or have not been formally trained this movie can really help you. I know musicians that can play their rear ends off but if you asked them to play a Bbsus7 chord they couldn’t even if their life depended on it.

The concepts of reading chord symbols are really simple. You just need someone to explain to you what’s really going on. When someone explains to you how it works you will say “oh that’s easy”. How many times have you seen chords that look like this. Ab7(#11)(13), Dbmin11, Gsus9, D13. If you already know how to read chord symbols you know that it’s not that hard but if you don’t know how to read chord symbols you are probably thinking “what in the world is that”. In the movie I break down how this stuff works and believe me it really is simple. You can download the movie today for only $3.95.

It includes about 45minutes of instruction with graphics and an over the head camera
angle so that you can see all of the notes being played on the piano. There is a pdf file included to help you follow the movie. All you need is an email address and Quick Time Player on your computer and you can get started today. If you would prefer an actuall DVD of the movie you can purchase that as well for $9.95 plus shiping. Just contact us at products@hmpi.net and we can mail it to you. If you want to purchase the instant download click on the link and you can safely buy it through paypal. The download file will instantly be sent directly to your email address where you can open it up and view it. (to get this you have to purchase the gospel piano basics dvd)