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Music TheoryPentatonic & Blues Scales
Pentatonic & Blues Scales
Goal
The "Jammer's Secret": Learn the 5 and 6-note scales used in Rock, Jazz, and Pop.
The Pentatonic Scale
"Penta" means 5. This scale removes the "clashy" notes (4th and 7th) to create a scale where every note sounds perfect.
C Major Pentatonic
Play: **C - D - E - G - A** (Skip F and B).
Play these notes in any order—they will always sound good!
Pro Tip: All the **Black Keys** on the piano form a Pentatonic scale.
The Blues Scale
Take the Minor Pentatonic and add the "Blue Note" (the flat 5th).
A Blues Scale
Notes: A - C - D - **D#** - E - G - A.
That **D#** is the magic ingredient that makes it sound soulful.
Quick Recap
Pentatonic = 5 notes. Impossible to play a "wrong" note.
Blues = Pentatonic + 1 "Blue" note.
Apply Your Knowledge
Practice what you just learned with these songs