There is a tremendous interest in the art of improvisation, as well as a need for knowledge and information about it.
I'm frequently asked by double reed players, questions regarding improvisation; specifically, what to practice and where to begin.
The object of this article is to acquaint the reader with jazz improvisation constructed around the pentatonic scale.
One of the many tools used in improvisation, the pentatonic scale, a five note scale, may be played through a variety of harmonic patterns and chord changes. It is a valuable tool to have at one's command because of its simplicity and versatility. The formula for constructing the Pentatonic Scale is:
A. Write out 12 Pentatonics (one for each key). Be sure to follow the formula exactly. Writing them out will enhance and speed up the learning process.
B. Check your work against this example. I have provided both clefs because this stuff is for everybody. It's a marvelous teaching aid. Learn these scales in all octaves.
Practice suggestions...
I . Practice each scale throughout the entire range of' the instrument, forward and reverse, making sure to use only the scale tones.
2. Practice each scale in broken patterns, using wide intervals and rhythmic and melodic motifs. Use only the scale tones.
3. Remember, jazz requires emphasis on the
second and fourth beat of each bar.
4. Experiment at the piano especially if you are interested in
composition.
Spending time with these scales and eventually learning their application will increase your musical awareness, organize your inventiveness, and broaden your own musical scope on any instrument you play.
If you wish to further your study of pentatonic scales, you may obtain a complete list of chords that correspond to each pentatonic scale from:
About the writer...
Ray Pizzi studied bassoon with Simon Kovar. He received a Bachelor of Music Education from the Boston Conservatory of Music and an Applied Music Diploma from the Berklee School of Music. He also did graduate work at Boston Conservatory as a performance major after five years in Music Education in the Massachusetts school system. Pizzi moved to California where he has spent fifteen years in Los Angeles doing both studio and concert work. He has performed with John Williams, Henry Mancini, Frank Zappa, Ravi Shankar, Dizzy Gillespie, and in countless movie scores. He has been elected by the Grammy Awards committee as the Most Valuable Player for four years. He also has four solo albums featuring work on sax and flute as well as on the bassoon. He has been a featured soloist at major jazz and music festivals, and often gives clinics and master classes on improvisation.