Major/Minor pentatonic scales + Practice recommendations
Gday David.
This is a two part question, which I'm sure you may have answered before: I'm sure you've mentioned it but I'm lost in the vastness of information and its hard to see the bush through the trees here...
What are the notes in the major and minor pentatonic scales and their relation to the blues scale.
I have a major problem with focus when it comes to our instrument... And I find myself just free playing or jamming my favourite tune most of the time and aside from half an hour here or there on the practice and study material you've given us.
Given a time frame of an hour and an half each day: what would you recommend as a practice routine for each session?
How much time would you alot for different techniques ect.
Thanks so much in advance.
Darron
That's perfect. Thanks so much for you help David
I would be at a level 5-6
Hello Darron.
Perfect... you can use the general practice layout I present here
https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/practice_study_4, but the opening 5m would be "G Major Pentatonic Scale (Movement Exercises Study 2)," the next 20m "My Blues, Bending Study 4," take a 5m break, then "Solo Harmonica Study 3 (Ex. 2.1, 2.2, or 2.6)" for 10m, and then alternate days on "Chorus Form Work" and "Accompaniment
Study 5" for 20m.
If you haven't done the LOA testing process, I highly recommend it. The lower levels will be a good review, and no doubt you'll pick up on areas you missed along the way in your studies. Students have found the testing process to be highly motivating (good in your case, to stop wondering practice). Make your goal to get to Level 10.
P.S., I have an entire series on practice (start with Lesson 1)... this outlines everything you need to know about effective practice.
Hello Darron.
First anser...
Here's one of the lessons on scales:
Movement Exercises Study 2 - Essential Scales
https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/movement_exercises_study_2_scales
The Major Pentatonic Scale is G A B D E G (Root, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and Octave).
The Minor Pentatonic Scale is G Bb C D F G (Root, flat-3rd, 4th, 5th, flat-7th, and Octave).
The Blues Scale is the same as the Minor Pentatonic Scale with the addition of the flat-5th.
Second answer...
Take a look at this practice lesson (for Level 4 players). In the PDF I have a sample practice layout.
https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/practice_study_4
What level would you say you're at? I can give you a better answer with that knowledge.