Pentatonic Scales
A look at
pentatonic scales
Construction, types and misconceptions
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Scales
and Modes - Part #3 What
are pentatonic scales? How are they constructed?
What makes them different than major and minor
scales? Why are they the most common scale used in
the world? In this
article we're going to take a closer look at these
very popular scales and explain them in an easy to
understand nonacademic way. Scales
are one of the most important building blocks of
music. Notes from scales, combined with rhythm,
form the basis of melodies. A haunting, solo melody
can be a rich and rewarding musical expression.
Therefore a basic knowledge of scales is beneficial
to anyone that wishes to make music, especially if
they are creating their own tunes or just
improvising ("playing from the heart"). In the
two previous articles we looked at diatonic
major and minor scales
and then the diatonic
modes
respectively. A good understanding of these
principles will help you with the subject of this
post exploring pentatonic scales. You might want to
review them before diving into this
article. For
anyone that plays the Native American flute the
term pentatonic scale becomes a constant refrain in
almost all conversations about this instrument. Yet
very few people know very much beyond the fact that
Pent is Greek for five. Even though this is
the limit of most people's knowledge, somehow a lot
of misinformation and incorrect terminology gets
passed from player to player, maker to player,
maker to maker and player to maker. This
misinformation is completely invalid outside of the
Native American flute world and for that matter is
barely valid for the NAF. As if the Native American
Flute world is it's own little bubble, which it's
not. If you
want to be taken seriously by other musicians, and
have the Native American flute taken seriously as
well, it's essential to be able to discuss music at
a basic level using the correct terms that are
recognized by the larger musical world. Likewise
it's also good to avoid using terms that are not
recognized by musicians, composers and music
theorists. In this
post we're going to look at the most common
pentatonic scales, the names they are known by and
how they are constructed. At the end of the post
we'll talk about some of the incorrect terms and
names given to them so you can avoid falling into
the trap so many NAF players have fallen
into. THE
HEART OF MUSIC Read
the full article Here ©
Cedar Mesa Music. How
to Buy a NAF, part
1 You
can find an index of all the articles including
maker and flute
profiles
HERE You
can also find a list of makers
who's flutes I play on my web site. MORE
INFORMATION ABOUT THE
NATIVE
AMERICAN FLUTE
Pentatonic Scales
In many ways pentatonic scales lie at the heart of
western music and the music of many other cultures.
Pentatonic scales form the basis of other more
complex scales. Yet in their simplicity lies an
ease of use, a grace of sound and a unique balance
of pitches. The most common pentatonic scales lack
any sonic or harmonic tension which gives them a
relaxing, easy going sound that fits into many
musical styles. In western music alone pentatonic
scales are commonly found in folk, blues, rock,
soul, pop, and jazz. They can be found in Celtic
and Hungarian folk music. Outside of western
cultures pentatonic scales are ubiquitous in music
from Japan, China, Korea, Indonesia and Africa. In
short pentatonic scales are the most common scales
in use throughout the world.
OTHER
POSTS IN THIS SERIES
NEW
Scales
and Modes Part
1
NEW
Scales
and Modes Part 2
How
to Buy a NAF, part
2
How
to care for your
NAF
Playing
your first NAF
scale
Strengthening
your Fingers
Playing
from the Heart
Part-1
Playing
from the Heart
Part-2
Recording
your NAF, basic, easy Home Studio set
up
Starting
your Own Music Label part 1
NAF
History and Construction
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© 2008 Cedar Mesa Music. All rights reserved. |
Recordings
by
Scott
August
