Creative Pentatonics Part 1: Mastering Guitar Techniques for Versatile Play

Unlock the secrets of the guitar fretboard with "Creative Pentatonics Part 1," a meticulously designed guitar lesson series from Licklibrary.com. This course is a treasure trove for guitarists aiming to elevate their play by mastering pentatonic scales in a variety of musical contexts. From playing confidently over major, minor, and dominant chord types to integrating advanced concepts like "layering" and "pentatonic super-imposition," this course offers a comprehensive pathway to improvisational freedom and expressive guitar playing. These lessons are taught by Nick Jennison.

Course Overview

Playing Over Different Chord Types

Learning how to navigate through major, minor, and dominant chord types with pentatonic scales is foundational for any guitarist looking to improvise or compose music. This course demystifies which pentatonic scale fits each chord type, empowering you with the knowledge to make your solos more melodious and harmonically correct. The benefit is immediate: a more intuitive understanding of the guitar neck and the ability to play along with virtually any piece of music.

Creating Modal Scales from Pentatonic Scales

Diving deeper into the world of scales, "Creative Pentatonics Part 1" shows you how to expand the five-note pentatonic scale into modal scales. This technique not only broadens your musical vocabulary but also enhances your ability to color your playing with different emotional and tonal qualities. It's a skill that promotes musical creativity and helps you stand out in your improvisations and compositions.

Layering and Pentatonic Super-Imposition

The course introduces the concepts of "layering" and "pentatonic super-imposition," enabling guitarists to create rich, complex sounds by combining different pentatonic scales over the same chord progression. This approach adds depth to your playing and is especially useful for creating standout solos that capture the listener's attention. It's an invaluable technique for any guitarist looking to add sophistication to their playing.

Playing "Outside" Using the "Outside Pentatonic"

For those looking to push the boundaries of conventional playing, the "outside pentatonic" technique offers a gateway into more avant-garde sounds. This lesson teaches you how to momentarily step out of the key to create tension before resolving back, adding excitement and unpredictability to your solos. It's a technique that, once mastered, can truly set you apart as a guitarist.

Practicing with a Backing Track

Incorporating a backing track into your practice routine is crucial for developing timing, rhythm, and the ability to play in a band setting. "Creative Pentatonics Part 1" includes a backing track tailored to the course's lessons, providing you with a practical tool to apply what you've learned in a musical context. Practicing with a backing track not only improves your technical skills but also enhances your musicality, preparing you for live performances and jam sessions.

Guitar Techniques Covered in This Course

At the end of "Creative Pentatonics Part 1," you will have gained proficiency in a wide array of guitar techniques, ready to be applied in your musical journey. Here is a list of some of the techniques covered, along with resources for further exploration:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Pull-offs
• Pre-Bends
• Hammer-ons
• Double Stops
• Slides
• String Bending

By the end of this course, you'll have a deep understanding of how to use pentatonic scales creatively across various musical contexts, enhancing your versatility and expressiveness as a guitarist.