Formation and fingering
Lesson time: (2min 0sec)
Tim Richards shows how to use the D minor pentatonic scale to solo over all three chords in 'Montuno for Monty', and how it relates to F major pentatonic.
Course preview
This lesson is part of the course Exploring Jazz Piano: Minor Triads
Watch a preview of the full course below.
Lesson transcript:
Montuno for Monty
In this lesson, I'll guide you through using the minor pentatonic scale in D minor for your solo.
Minor Pentatonic Scale in D
You'll notice that I suggested using a minor pentatonic in D minor for your solo.
- Notes in the D Minor Pentatonic:
D, F, G, A, C
It's important to understand that this is the same set of notes as the F major pentatonic. They are modes of each other.
Relative Minor Relationship
- Key Signature:
Both F major and D minor share the same key signature. - Pentatonic Scale:
- F Major: Root, 2, 3, 5, 6
- When starting on D, these same notes sound minor.
Chord Context
Because we're playing a minor chord in the left hand as well, this creates a cohesive sound.
Scale Construction
Let's examine the construction of the D minor pentatonic scale:
- Intervals:
- Minor third between D and F
- Tone (D to E)
- Tone (E to F#)
- Minor third (A to C)
There's a kind of symmetry here that can help you remember the scale.
Memorization Tips
Make sure to memorize the actual notes that you're playing as well, not just the names:
- D Minor Pentatonic Breakdown:
- Root: D
- Flat Third: F
- Fourth: G
- Fifth: A
- Flattened Seventh: C
Note: The F and C are flatted because we're relating this scale to D major, which would normally have F# and C#.
Improvisation Tools
The minor pentatonic can be used to improvise over minor triads as an alternative to the regular scales we discussed earlier.
Expanding Your Toolkit
Now you have another tool in your musical toolbox, in addition to:
- Arpeggios
- Five-finger positions
- Broken chords
- Regular scales
You've now got the minor pentatonic scale as well!
About the instructor
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.” PianoDaoAs 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 read more