What are Pentatonic Pairs?

www.jazzeveryon... Jazz Everyone offers a different approach to learning jazz. With over 60 years of playing and teaching jazz, Willie presents his unique approach to learning the jazz language.

[@Skipperj]

Those cats you mentioned were tuned in to B-Bop and were willing to shed the tunes and ideas.It didn't just land in there laps!Most people don't like the idea of "working" and "living" with the tunes until they are 2nd nature.That is my biggest problem even after many years...I'm lazy... But your starting to inspire me,so thanks so much Willie!!

[@mikewalker3337]

Boy..that’s a nice idea you have. I haven’t even got the diminished part worked out yet and already those pentatonic pairs have turned out to be a fantastic aid for trying to anticipate the color of a random key. I love the way the pentatonic notes help set up the flavour of a key without putting any pressure on me to decide whether it should be major or minor until I get there. My ear is slow and I don’t have absolute Pitch, so I need all the help I can get. I just took Mary had a little Lamb through all the keys guitarists dread and it felt and sounded like a piece of cake!! I already sound like a genius when I run it through the minor mode so I can’t wait to try adding the diminished stuff.

[@davidmmcg]

Bird says literally exactly the opposite of what Julious Bass claims. In Bird's interview with Paul Desmond available here on KZbin he mentions putting "quite a bit of study on the horn" with 11 to 15 hours a day for 3 or 4 years and that "It was all done with books" including the Klose Saxophone Method. "Study is absolutely necessary," and "Schooling brings out the polish," and he mentions hoping to study with Edgard Varese in Paris.

[@baileyayyy5085]

Is this comment supposed to be a joke? Bird benefitted from all that practice because he played gigs constantly. You gotta put in a lot of hours but it won't mean shit if you have no musical sense in a jam.

[@estebanvenegas89]

circle of 4ths/5ths understanding was crucial for understanding pentatonic pairs lesson! nice video thanks

[@claudiogaldes7494]

I luv you stuff i luve ya playing i wish i found you 35 years ago when i started playing the sax . keep the jazz message alive

[@juanrondonmusic]

Good morning Master. Thank you so much for your teachings. Greetings from Colombia.

[@5OVEREIGNTY]

I am a seasoned jazz player & have to admit I have no fuckin idea what the hell your talking about LOL!

[@dr.brianjudedelimaphd743]

Interesting concept- but I think it pays greater dividends to follow in methodologies used by Bud, Barry, Bird, Dizzy Just transcribe, play along with recordings, analyze baroque counterpoint and most importantly, try to play at as many sessions as you can

[@SlavicMaleChorus]

The circle of 5ths creates a tonality. The inner circle is a whole step from the outer. This makes pairs.(C-D,G-F, etc) A simple approach to melodic development. Simple is good.

[@cmhurryit]

You found a tonal center in serialism? Willie Thomas you're a genius!

[@11Kralle]

This was very interesting - even for a guitarist like me! Ear + theory + practise will always be the best approach, shortcuts are to be avoided though! Good work.

[@YngvilVG]

The written music varies between Concert, Bb and - Bass Clef ! Thanks, dude...

[@azbillbrandon]

Thank you so much! This is a very helpful lesson.

[@2malscott]

thank you for your reply yes i have read that django's style of music was inherited from his gypsy background in spite of the accident of him losing his fingers he learned how to play that many say is a unique style. nice analogy about with language. i think through some creative gesturing i would be establish a basic communication. although no it wouldnt really help to speak it or know what is spoken

[@Andrewsaxy]

Willie,thanks!

[@vtx1300dave]

So helpful, I love your videos.

[@marcsoucie4010]

So... what are "pentatonic pairs" again ? I just don't get it.

[@franzfigueracello]

the video is like a preview i guess..

[@utubehound69]

Pentatonic 5 note scales , pairs = two Pentatonic scales that are relative to the chords used as in relationship to the circle of 5th's . The circle counter clockwise is the circle of 4ths.

[@johnmcminn8288]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4e9famkoMqKkNU this is a link to a College professor who explains building pentatonics off of the R 4 5 and 2 of your ii chord Once you can think in terms of playing several pentatonics at once , you can use the pentatonic pairs to guide as the notes your scales have in common

[@davidmmcg]

I don't think you responded to my comment. Mozart studied with Hayden in Vienna, and both of them learned from the book Gadus ad Parnassum; Coltrane studied with Ornstein in Philadelphia and was rumored to have practiced extensively from Slonimsky's Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns. Regardless of your personal feelings about school, study, and books, the fact is that great musicians study in schools and read from books. Is it boring to know two different ways of playing the same thing?

[@joegridl]

Even if you can't write or read you can know your stuff. Django seriously knew what he was playing. Improvisation is so much but NEVER "random"...

[@kewlfonz]

Not clear on this at all??? It doesn't help that the notation is so blurred because I can't see read it properly. Also it would be helpful if you outlined specifically which 'pentatonic pairs' are used??? When you say pairs, presumably you mean two separate major pentatonic scales used to improvise over the chord progression? I'm afraid I'm utterly confused like a lot of others on here. I just don't understand it at all...

[@kewlfonz]

OK!!! I understand it now-If we take a a typical 2-5-1: Cm7-F7-Bbmaj7 then by using the second mode of the Bb Major Pentatonic Scale (e.g. 2,3,5,6,2) to play the 2 chord and the 5 chord, we can then use the same pattern obviously for the 1 chord. See below:- Cm7=C,D,F,G,Bb,C F7=F,G,F,D Bb Maj7=Bb,C,D,F,G,Bb And there's all those people getting worked into a frenzy because they think it's incredibly difficult to play over a 2-5-1. This is about the easiest lick I've seen thus far for playing 2-5-1s Thanks a lot Willie. Great tip...

[@JazzEveryone]

Simon Loveland if you're interested to check out more of the Jazz Everyone language system go to jazzeveryone(dot)com/10day for a 10 day free trial. You can go through the Free Lesson and 6 Pack, or go to the Player's Corner and check out the Tunes to Know and Blow series. Its a great place to see the pentatonic pairs in action!

[@JDavilaDavilaDVP_Productions]

Great stuff, Thanks!

[@bassax7045]

thanks for sharing

[@benjaminmoseslieb9856]

Though I appreciate your efforts, again another video that feels mostly confusing. Basically I'm hearing "What are pentatonic pairs? Here they are." But it's not really explained. At first I thought this was an attempt to encourage us to buy the proper lessons, but at this point, I'm afraid that would be a waste of money. I don't have confidence that the ideas will be explained in a way that feels clear and that I can understand. As an educator and experienced musician, I implore you to explore how you might make your points simply and clearly. From listening it seems like "pentatonic pairs" are basically 5-6 of a pentatonic scale of the chord coming up leading into 1-2 on the downbeat when that chord is played?

[@JazzEveryone]

You're on the money with the Chord naming system. The example at 1:05 has the IM, II-7, V7 and VI7 named on the video... the III-7 isn't shown, but, it would be formed on the D in the Bb scale, etc.

[@arnolddelaverdi6821]

Hi Sir Willie,Do you have books for selling?Thanks a lot

[@JazzEveryone]

Wow, thanks!

[@123must]

A lot of thank ! Very interesting.

[@bassmanx357]

Awesome !

[@pyannaguy]

Utterly lost. I'm sure it's me, because everybody else loves it. I respect your efforts - cool that it's helping people. Movin' on....

[@JazzEveryone]

Imo, you can't kill talent. Talent can only be enhanced through listening, study and playing. This has been exemplified by Michael Brecker, Wynton Marsalis, Barry Harris and yes even Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk and many other jazz masters who wrote and "owned" the book on jazz theory.

[@MusicTeacherGuyNorristown]

I don't get it... it's the places in the major scale where there are 2 notes separated by a whole step? Why is the word pentatonic in there?

[@JazzEveryone]

+Music Teacher Guy The best way to answer this question is to study the information that outlines this phenomenon. Here it is. www.jazzeveryone.com/language-system-overview/ You can also check things out In the Intermediate Corner, Lesson 8.3. This is a Free Lesson. Enjoy! W

[@Armov]

just to clarify...you're basically emphasizing that jazz changes often move in the circle of 5ths, right? ok, why is the "pair" aspect of it important tho? I suppose to me the system, although neat, sounds superfluous. thanks in advance for your response and great vids!

[@2malscott]

not only django could not and did not read or write music but he played music with only two fingers django certainly was very unique. which seems to suggest that you either do it or dont there really is no learning? except maybe just pure off the cuff hands on doing if you know the sound of music?

[@jeffp8072]

James Morrison trumpet

[@ericpaesano5608]

Im lost! I don't get it. How do you identify the pairs? I don't understand the explanation given.

[@Dar1F15h]

There is a message board on Sax On The Web of people discussing this same question, YT won't let me post the link but search for "What's the deal with pentatonic pairs?". I think these videos are meant to be something of a sales pitch, and as such never actually explain how these "pentatonic pairs" actually work. The author replies on the thread on Sax On The Web, but only by directing people to his paid site. He says there are 5 pairs per major scale, and they "form a melody chain through the Dominant cycle", which I guess could mean the cycle of fifths or a ii-V-I. But I've no clue what he means by "melody chain". He then says the best way to understand it is for you to experience them yourself by taking his course. I respect his right to do it, every musician and teacher has the right to charge for their knowledge. I do feel however that these videos are a bit confusing. For instance, the bit at 1:05, where the chords played are a sequence different than what is notated on-screen (they're played in vi-ii-V-I or G- C- F7 Bb) and using voicings other than the root positions which are shown. The inverted voicings played are also ascending so it's disorienting to try to understand the point of this example until you realize they are played in a different sequence. Same goes for the changes on-screen for Perdido at 6:01 versus the recording, which contains several chord substitutions which aren't on the chart. Again I'm not judging the author for wanting to charge for his work. But I think it would be helpful to somehow annotate this video in such a way that doesn't stir more confusion (such as the two examples I've described above). I disagree if the approach is to create confusion and then offer clarity for money. Happy learning...

[@JazzEveryone]

Dar1F15h The best way to learn about the pentatonic pairs is through Lesson 8 of our Intermediate Corner. It requires free registration, don't worry.... not trying to sell anything..... yet. We've also simplified the video above: kzbin.info/www/bejne/naKZnmuges6Ur7c

[@Dar1F15h]

Cheers mate

[@productions8572]

its amazing how your approach to training jazz made me enter in the art abit,I still need more lessons from you,check the videos in my account to hear what I mean

[@JazzEveryone]

Can you elaborate a little?

[@tremshaker6065]

Hi Willie, I'm confused as to where the first pair came from. The pairs above are numbered 1/5 you start on note 2 from the scale, the pairs are a 4th apart from pair number 2 too pair number 5 but where did pair number 1 come from, (G A ) E flat too G I counted to be 3 notes apart are these notes still a 4th apart?

[@tremshaker6065]

Hi, think I've twigged it! Have you counted from the 6th degree of the B flat scale then made the pairs a fourth apart. Think I got confused from another jazz everyone video which suggested it was counted from note two in the scale.

[@tipniskids2210]

Willie- Could you fix the script so people can read the notes>.>>>? Thanks

[@anitadavideduo]

yes!

[@trumpetinlove]

thanks!!!!!!

[@kmurrell1001]

this has been something sorely missed in jazz education. they teach scales, but not how to achieve a jazzy sound! thanks.

[@alfredocolon6987]

Trane had to work on his playing ridiculously to get where he got. He would practice in the kitchen during breaks at work. Same with Bird, Brecker and pretty much any of the greats we listen to. The theory is just a means of communicating the information we need to make music and helps you get beyond simple harmony. Try playing 7 steps to heaven and sounding good on it without knowing the changes.

[@2malscott]

how does one "learn to improvise" isnt improvisation doing something completely off the cuff and at random? i have been learning that django reinhardt did not and could not read or write music. he seems to have played totally by intuition which i think is the true meaning of doing something by improv. i have absolutely no music training. but i can hear what you play and in theory should be able to copy and build on it without knowing anything about notes or scales right?

[@Juliousthebassplayer]

when i was in music school all i heard was alot of talk but when it was time to play it got quiet. before i went to school i was all over the fret board, it was beautiful! but school taught me i can do everything in one position. Boring.!

[@ceylonin7289]

Did anybody get the point? I didn´t understand it at all, and I´d love to

[@vjimmers1]

ceylonin it looks like he is always playing the one or two of a chord avoiding minors and majors for the most part. A whole tone / augmented key center? www.premierguitar.com/articles/Inside_Jazz_Augmented_and_Diminished_Forms

[@charlesbarry6730]

I still don't know how to find the pentatonic pairs.

[@shredsixsixsix9218]

Oh Play major pentatonic pairs over ZZ Top Tush through a Marshall stack on 10

[@MarkInLA]

No wonder you're an ass ! You can't even spell the word "I", but moreso that you 'tush' it through your amp !!

[@shredsixsixsix9218]

Mark Harris What ever, Bra.

[@beakf1]

You look like Poppa Smurf hehe,thank you :)

[@excismos8056]

I don't get it either, a cycle of 4ths inside and a tone apart, what and why, also can't read the fuzzy examples. The other video's have been much easier to understand.

[@drummer542]

I think it is taking the chord chord tones in a major scale that are followed by a whole step, ex-Bb major--(Bb-C), (C-D), Eb-F), (F-G), (G-A). He said there were 5 of them and I am assuming that they can be used in 2-5-1 progression in that key. I think the next step would be connecting the two notes chromatically either from approaching from below, in between, or above. Or maybe i don't know what the fuck I'm talking about, because I'm a drummer.

[@excismos8056]

Thanks, I'm assuming that he just means a minor pentatonic scale..

[@YngvilVG]

or maybe they're just really blurry...

[@shonimus]

thanks hep santa!

[@Juliousthebassplayer]

ok. it's my take on it. at the end of the day you have to do you, but you have to have talent first before any of this schooling can help. people want to here music not theory. there are people that spend money in school on trying to do what coltrane was born to do.

[@AlanHearnshaw]

Another very seasoned player here (forty years) who has absolutely no clue what you're taking about. Maybe I'm looking for something complex that isn't there. Who knows? This video is an exercise in confusion.

[@JazzEveryone]

+Alan Hearnshaw For a good intro to the Pentatonic Pairs, come to our website, check out Lesson 8 in the Intermediate Corner. You'll need to register for free... no catch, no credit card required. We've also simplified this video a bit, check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/naKZnmuges6Ur7c

[@AlanHearnshaw]

Hi Willie. Thanks for the response. Actually, after I visited this video, I did go and find that other video, which presents it clearer.

[@zepapires]

JazzEveryone

[@Juliousthebassplayer]

ok. whatever. it's just my opinion. practice has nothing to do with theory. people like what they hear not what scale your using. next to each wrong note is the right note. that's all the theory you need.

[@davidmmcg]

No, that is not right. If you hear me speak Navajo, will you be able to copy and build on it without knowledge of the syntax and structure of the language, not to mention the vocabulary? Musicians don't invent the language of jazz improvisation, they inherit it from other players and add what original ideas they can. One learns to improvise from listening to others' improvisations, not from inventing a new language out of thin air.

[@Juliousthebassplayer]

that's a very strange way of looking at things. there are people that are born to do things that others have to pay to learn. and it seems people who can't be original try ti dissect what the greats do and try to teach it and copy it. those people you named are one of a kind and no book theory or lesson had any influence on there sound. it's the sound not the theory . but keep trying to teach the def.

[@alfbarroso]

DOES EDUCATION KILL TALENT? CAN IT BE TRUE??

[@josefinigo7100]

Unclear definition of Penta. Pairs....

[@WilliamSlaght]

+Josef Inigo it's just a pentatonic scale with the 3rd removed. So basically Bb major pentatonic would be: Bb-C-D-F-G without the D being Bb-C and F-G both a whole tone apart. These are the pairs. The "pentatonic pairs" as this guy calls it. However, I believe his approach is his approach when there's actual more to it. I guess starting off with the pentatonic pairs being 4 notes is alright for beginners.

[@MusicTeacherGuyNorristown]

+LinkBulletBill How many are there in each key? What is being paired up? Two notes? Or two pairs of notes? What would all of them be in Bb?

[@WilliamSlaght]

Music Teacher Guy There are two pairs (pentatonic pairs) per key. What is being paired are two whole tone notes. In Bb the pentatonic pairs would be: 1: Bb and C 2: F and G What's the point? The reason said is that it is melodic and for melodic understanding to begin with and then venture from onward adding more stuff. Anyway it is believed by this guy that these "pairs" are important melodically on fundamental grounds of music that even advanced players should use. It's to look at music more than just scales, and it would be easier for beginners too. Why "pentatonic" pairs? Because it comes from the major pentatonic scale, but the two pairs ignore the third degree. Why pairs? There are two notes per pair that can be doodles with from going one pair to another. However, one can simply look at it as a scale, but as I said before that it's just a different way to look at music as not scales. Do I agree or believe this? It's a different point of view, but I'm skeptical, and I do not agree with everything believed about these pentatonic pairs. Funny how simple it's supposed to be and for beginners, but how complicated it is for many people in this comment section. I hope this makes things clear.

[@Mooser42001]

Those "pentatonic pairs" are, as you say, pay dirt.

[@warmregards4439]

bruh why you always talking scripted like that