Here’s my perspective on pentatonics and how I’ve been practicing them…

Part 1 – What Are They?

Part 2 – On the Fretboard

Part 3 – Patterns

Part 4 – Applications on Static Chords

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Penta = Five

Ok ok, so pentatonics contain five notes. You can say that any five notes constitute a pentatonic scale, but let’s stick to the one in common use for now. Here’s how to extract the “regular” pentatonic scales : (more…)

Here’s my perspective on pentatonics and how I’ve been practicing them…

Part 1 – What Are They?

Part 2 – On the Fretboard

Part 3 – Patterns

Part 4 – Applications on Static Chords

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Five Positions

There exist five really practical positions for playing pentatonics on the guitar fretboard. The thing is, this scale organizes itself in “2 notes per string” patterns everywhere on the fingerboard.

The way I personally “discovered” the five positions for myself is (more…)

Here’s my perspective on pentatonics and how I’ve been practicing them…

Part 1 – What Are They?

Part 2 – On the Fretboard

Part 3 – Patterns

Part 4 – Applications on Static Chords

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Patterns : Get Pentatonics Moving!

Some useful patterns, very useful to move the fingers when first starting with pentatonics.

Beware : using pentatonics is all about creating beautiful (strange?) melodies! Don’t fall in the trap of making them “flashy” by running patterns as fast as you can… it won’t be musically meaningful to you and others.

Here’s only my favorite “basics” :
(all written in Am pentatonic, fifth position … the “classic” position!)

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Of course, you could practice many, many more patterns. Pentatonic scales really lend themselves to patterns! Here’s a Jerry Bergonzi book that contains many interesting patterns :

Inside Improvisation Series Volume 2 : Pentatonics

But once again, be careful not to “go too technical” about it … learn and practice patterns that inspire you. Keep in mind you’ll be using the scales and concepts to create meaningful and souful improvised melodies…

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See you in Pentatonics Part 4 – where we’ll apply pentatonics to specific chord types…

Here’s my perspective on pentatonics and how I’ve been practicing them…

Part 1 – What Are They?

Part 2 – On the Fretboard

Part 3 – Patterns

Part 4 – Applications on Static Chords

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Applied Pentatonics for Jazz

Ok, here’s my little “treatise” on using pentatonics for jazz improvisation. A few words of caution first :

1. These approaches are only suggestions. They come from my very own practice and experience (in other words : “works for me…“) Feel free to experiment and make sure you listen for your favorite sounds.Also : read books on the matter to give you other, fresh ideas.
2. The scope of my approach is only on a (more…)

It’s almost september and I know I “should” be doing a long updated report on the state of my practice and musical life in general … but I won’t! Generally, september brings me to re-consider the whole (“big picture”) of my life. But now …

(more…)

As part of the Jeunes Volontaires project (Waï trio) I just had a workshop / lesson with Jean-Sebastien Williams.

It was cool. He listened to “live” takes of the Waï trio on July 24th. Then we discussed :

(more…)

It’s the beginning of August and it’s most likely going to be my biggest “season of changes” for 2010.

Musically, I’ve played the first “official” gigs with the band “Waï”. For the first time ever, I’m playing over 90% of original (and fairly new) material. That’s a big step forward, I think. That is my personal “Milestone”.

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It really is a different beast : playing originals is (more…)

Attended another jazz jam session last night @ Grumpy’s (on bishop street, Montreal). Great house band, for which I unfortunately missed the first set with Tom Eliasoff (guitar), Eric Thibodeault (drums) and Sage Reynolds (bass).

I had the opportunity to catch up with  (more…)

Official band website :  WaiJazz.Wordpress.Com

Catch us this weekend :

It’s been three weeks since I updated this blog … I’m very busy and very happy doing what I do!

As always, I spend most of my precious hours doing this :

• Practicing / Composing / Rehearsing
• Playing Sessions and Gigs
• Working on JazzGuitarLessons.net
• Teaching
• (at that’s when I’m not making delicious iced espresso!)

I’m getting better and better at this “self discipline” thing where I put a definite amount of work on each individual task when I’m home. (Say : practice, website and composition)

But that is all “old stuff”, let’s look at what changed since Montreal Jazz Festival ended.

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Updated Practice Routine

I’ve re-assessed my guitar abilities (weaknesses/strengths) after (more…)