Pentatonic Scales - What are they and how can I compose with them

Pentatonic scales are great for improving and composing. A pentatonic scale is simply defined as a “scale with 5 notes“. Play the black keys on a piano keyboard and you will have just played a pentatonic scale! This video covers the 2 main types of pentatonic scale - the major and minor. The major is built on the root, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th degrees of the major scale. The minor pentatonic is built on the root, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th notes. The different sound of each scale is demonstrated with examples played in different keys. The impact of the addition of “blue' notes to the pentatonic scales is shown in both major and minor pentatonic scales. The video gives 4 composing tasks to try out to develop improvisation and composition skills.