Minor Pentatonic and Blues Scales

from: Theory for Mandolin and Fiddle with Chad Manning

This lesson is part of the course Theory for Mandolin and Fiddle with Chad Manning.

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Learn the basics of music theory as it relates to four-string instruments tuned in fifths. Chad’s practical approach will deepen your knowledge of chords, scales, and arpeggios, and help you integrate them into your playing.

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Major Chord Arpeggios

Learn how major chord arpeggios are constructed and how to find them on the mandolin/fiddle fingerboard. Chad explains that major chords are constructed of roots, thirds, and fifths: the first, third, and fifth notes in a major scale. Then he shows you different finger patterns for major arpeggios in bluegrass keys, giving you handy ways to visualize each pattern and advice about practicing them in different ways.

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Minor Pentatonic and Blues Scales

A Blues Play-Along Track

Minor Pentatonic and Blues Scales

In this lesson you’ll learn how to use the minor pentatonic scale to play over bluesy progressions. You’ll also learn the “blues scale,” which adds a flatted fifth to the minor pentatonic scale, for an even bluesier approach to the blues. Chad starts by showing you the minor pentatonic scale, in this case in A minor, and then shows you how he improvises over an A blues by using the A minor pentatonic scale. Then he adds the flatted fifth “(flat five”) to the minor pentatonic scale and shows you how he uses that scale to play on an A blues. He also shows you the minor pentatonic scale is related to the major pentatonic (they have the same notes), and how to use the A minor blues scale to play in the key of C major.

Minor Pentatonic and Blues Scales (Available to subscribers)

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