Four-note groups
With
Tim RichardsLearn how to play the C major pentatonic scale on the piano, and four-note groups for the C major pentatonic.
What's in the course
16 lessons (0h 34m) · 1 free
Lesson transcript
Introduction to the Pentatonic Scale
So, so far, you've improvised with:
- Major triads
- Arpeggios
- The major scale
- Broken chords
Now, we're going to try a new technique.
What is the Pentatonic Scale?
This technique uses five notes taken from the major scale. We call this a pentatonic scale, meaning five notes.
Key Changes
In creating the pentatonic scale, we've:
- Left out the fourth note, which, as you know, can be a slightly problematic note.
- Left out the seventh note, which can be a little bit discordant as well, although not as bad as the fourth.
The C Major Pentatonic Scale
By leaving out those notes, we've created the C major pentatonic scale.
Global Use of the Pentatonic Scale
This major pentatonic scale is found in music from all over the world, including:
- Jazz
- Blues
- Classical
- Folk
- Ethnic tunes
- World music
Benefits of the Pentatonic Scale
Because the fourth is no longer included, you don't have to worry about it clashing with a major third in the chord.
16 lessons
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Meet your guru
Meet your guru
Critically acclaimed jazz pianist and composer Tim Richards is one of Britain’s most experienced jazz educators, teaching piano privately for over 30 years, as well as at Morley College, Goldsmiths College, the University of Surrey, Premises Studios and other venues in the UK and abroad. He has produced numerous titles for Schott Music, including the best-selling two-volume Exploring Jazz Piano, Blues, Boogie & Gospel Collection and the acclaimed Improvising Blues Piano. He is also co-author, with John Crawford, of Exploring Latin Piano and Brazilian Piano Collection.
More recently Schott have published Jazz, Latin & Modern Collection (15 pieces for solo piano), comprising Tim Richards originals alongside pieces by Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk, and the two volume set Beginning Jazz Piano (now a two-part MusicGurus course).
“The real joy of Tim’s music… is that it is both hugely educational but also such great fun to play. Anyone with the slightest interest in learning to play or teach jazz piano should really acquire a set of Tim’s books.” PianoDao
As a performer Tim has been a presence on the UK jazz scene since the 1980s, also playing the blues with UK and US legends such as Otis Grand, Earl Green, Dana Gillespie, Larry Garner, Joe Louis Walker and Mojo Buford. He has released over a dozen albums as a leader (featuring many of London’s best jazz musicians including Pete King, Gilad Atzmon, Tony Kofi, Jason Yarde, Seb Rochford, Ed Jones, Dick Pearce and many others), and toured all over Europe with line-ups ranging from duo to nine-piece. His latest recording, the album ‘Telegraph Hill’ by the six-piece Hextet, was described in The Observer as "A true joy from beginning to end".
More info can be found on his website www.timrichards.ndo.co.uk
