What's The Deal With Scales

May 24,2011

Scales are important, in music they determine what chords you play, what solos you use and progression patterns, whether you a bass player, a keyboardist or a pianist. This lesson is for you!

If you remember, the major scale pattern is:

W-W-H-W-W-W-H

One of the newest scales that we are going to talk about is the pentatonic scale. The reason why is because this is one of the least talked about scales in the world of music. The best way to use this is the number system.

Here are the numbers for the pentatonic scale


R - 2 - 3 - 5 - 6


R= 1st note of scale
2= 2nd note of scale
3= 3rd note of scale
5= 5th note of scale
6= 6th note of scale

For example,
In the key of C, that would be:
C - D - E - G - A

This scale works excellent over chord progressions that are based on major chords. Try it over 1-4-5-1, 2-5-1, 5-4-1.

Another scale that has been used alot in music is the minor blues scale. You have heard it in many popular songs from Miles Davis to B.B King and even in Funk. This is very similar to the minor scale but there are a few modifications.

Here is the minor scale formula

W – H – W – W – H – W – W


In the key of C,

C – D – E flat – F – G – A flat – B flat – and C


To make this a minor blues scale you are going to take out the 2 and 6th note. Then raise the 5th note a half step.

Here is the scale before the change
C (1), D(2), E flat (3), F(4), G(5), A flat (6), B flat (7), and C (8)


Here is the scale after the change,

C – E flat – F – G flat – G – B flat – C

Note: You can solo the notes over any pattern as long as your chords are minor. Some examples are 1-4-5, 2-5-1, 6-2-5, 1-2-3-5

You will play the chords associated with the scale.

Try it!

How to Master All 12 Keys For The Summer

May 8, 2011

Summer is just around the corner and a lot of musicians as well as aspiring musicians send emails asking how to I continually master all 12 keys. Here is just a few tips to master all 12 keys during your free time in the summer.

In Short: Take a few songs you know and learn them in all 12 keys.

The songs that you are mostly common with the sames chords will usually apply. The only difference is that you will be taking the song up a key.
One thing that I like to do is choose songs that have a different feel whether it is R&B, Gospel, Contemporary. The better the mix the more diverse chords you will have.

The simplest way is to simply start at the original key of the song and move every note up a half step.

So if a song is in Ab major, you’ll attack A major next by literally taking every note in every chord and moving it up a half step.

Note: Remember to take your time with it. Pacing yourself and taking is slow will definitely help you. It is say that it takes the average human brain 7 times to remember something so take each piece of the song in sections.
Transposing a song to a new key is no more than moving every note up the appropriate amount of notes.

If you are having difficulties the transpose key is a good practice tool but remember not to abuse this if you are playing live. Having confidence in yourself and your playing will definitely help you to improve your practicing efforts. My best recommendation is to not use the transpose key but to do your best in mastering all 12 keys.


Here is an example of a C 7 chord:

C 7: C + E + G + Bb

To move to a Db 7 chord just raise all the notes up a half step

Db 7: Db + F + Ab + Cb


Once you master this you will be up to big leagues soon enough.

Take care,