An interactive keyboard is available for this lesson, it will or should have already loaded directly above. The file for this keyboard tool is 728k and may take a while depending on your internet connection speed. If the keyboard has not fully loaded above, I suggest that you move on reading the lesson as this process takes place.
One way to look at it:
The Minor Pentatonic scale is made up of five different pitches,
just like it's major scale counterpart. The last note being a repeat of the
first, only one octave
higher. In relation to the major scale the notes of the minor pentatonic scale
are :1 - b3 - 4 - 5 - b7 & 1(8) of the major scale. In other
words, it is a natural minor scale without the 2nd and the 6th note.
Another way to look at it:
These 5 notes are the same as the major pentatonic scale, but the tonic
of the scale is a different note. The tonic of the minor pentatonic
scale is the note a minor third (3 semitones) below
the tonic of the major
pentatonic scale.
For example the C major pentatonic scale : C - D - E - G - A - C : --->
becomes the A minor pentatonic scale : A - C - D - E - G - A : --->
Simply by selecting as tonic, the note 'A' instead of the 'C'. This shifts the 'key centre' and gives the scale a different (in this case 'minor') sound.
The minor pentatonic scale can be found most easily on the piano by playing all of the "black keys" from Eb to Eb.
If you did not do so earlier, use the interactive keyboard so that you can hear what the Minor Pentatonic Scale sounds like. Remember to play from Eb up to the following Eb using only the BLACK keys.
Using the pattern for Minor Pentatonic scales shown above. A Minor Pentatonic scale can be created on any of the twelve pitches on the keyboard. In the following window try to build a major scale, using pitch letter names, which starts on the pitch of Eb.
|
1 - b3 - 4 - 5 - b7
- 1
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Did you get it right? Put mouse here to find out.
Assignment: (If you choose to accept it:)
Create Major scales in at least 7 keys. The twelve usual tonic letter names are listed below.
C, Db, D, Eb, E, F, F#, G, Ab, A, Bb, B
E-mail me with your answers, webmaster@glassmusicworks.com.
Be sure to include the type of scales you were attempting to build.