0007. Pentatonics as superimpositions – abilities and techniques, part 2

Pentatonic-based chords could be controlled melodically. They behave pretty much as inversions of triads; just have significantly more of chord tones (what makes them supermelodic!).

Let`s pick five three-voiced fragments of the pentatonic, deployed widely, as discussed earlier. Those all have different melodic degrees:

b3	5	1*
4	b7	b3
5	1	4
b7	b3	5
1	4	b7

*Bold digits could be considered as roots of different kinds of “pentatonic triads”.

Notice that tones in columns are deployed narrowly (1 b3 4 5 b7 1 etc.). This could be used for melodic motion, without huge interval leaps.

Tones in rows remain deployed widely, as common chords (1 4 b7 b3 5 1 etc.).

In video this idea should look clearer.

Widely deployed pentatonic triads are always less than octave in range and could be inverted for greater intervalic variety:

4 5 1	4 b7 1
5 b7 b3	5 1 b3
b7 1 4	b7 b3 4
1 b3 5	1 4 5
b3 4 b7	b3 5 b7

Do not get fooled by numerous shapes – they are just the same initial pentatonic, just used with some sense and purpose.

Any tone of inversion also could be displaced by an octave – for even greater range and intervalic variety.

I know all this information might seem puzzling at first, especially when we deal with not only one, but three different kinds of pentatonic and use them as superimpositions over other chords. But proper classification of pentatonic triads and focus on right spots makes the whole system accessible to many. Ask my students. 🙂

If you got the idea and are interested in fully detailed course or want to share your thoughts, contact me directly advancedharmonyblog@gmail.com

0006. Pentatonics as superimpositions – abilities and techniques, part 1

Let`s discuss pentatonics in role of superimpositions, what benefits they give and how we could control them.

First of all, pentatonic (of any kind), built entirely of vertically stable tones, allows us to use pentatonic-based melodic lick in different harmonic contexts, with no modifications. Only condition – avoid tones and chromatics (remaining 7 tones of 12) should be rhythmically passive, unemphasized.

Let`s hear an example.

I think such feature is encouraging (because there`s no chance to fail). Moreover, ear and sense of phrasing are very positively provoked, when one exactly knows what notes are reliable for sure.

And if you are conscious about modal context, when playing pentatonics, they will help you to find the right fingering of modes (because only two modal tones still missing).

Pentatonics are even more powerful and interesting as a vertical structure, chord.

If we organize sounds of pentatonic not in a row, but skip every other one, we would get quite even intervalic pattern where fourths heavily prevail. (Such deployment is perfectly convenient for guitar players, for whom I have special fingering course.)

For example: A C D E G A C D E G A and so on. Bold notes are separated by such intervals: p4, p4, p4, M3, p4.

Wide deployment of pentatonics causes heavy quartal sound. 1 4 b7 b3 5 1 instead of 1 3b 4 5 b7 1.

(to be continued)