Stevie Wonder's Hidden Pentatonics

Peter Martin digs deep into his Stevie Wonder bag to show some hidden pentatonics over the classic tune, Overjoyed.
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[@CWBella]

Peter plays Stevie's music with such LOVE.

[@arisumego]

How can you not when you fully grasp it

[@comedyriff5231]

We need an album with Peter Martin playing Stevie Wonder.

[@arisumego]

on a rhodes though

[@andersbarasa3191]

No one explains SW better than PM. Brilliant! You just unlocked a new level of understanding. Thanks.

[@davewillmusic3334]

That could not have been played, produced, or explained any better. Keep it up!

[@CMM5300]

Altered scales and altered pentatonics: Get a note book, alter 1 note at a time for every scale you can think of. Write them all down. Every possible 1 note alteration. Then alter 2 notes, 3 notes, 4 notes. Have fun!

[@rustOfunk]

That’s very clever. You’re thinking like a real Open Session contributor!

[@brynkc3355]

“Take that through all 12 keys and you’re good to go” 😂

[@oscargill423]

Welp, there's my weekend plans

[@WP-pn6nu]

Im so lost, why do those scales fit with given chords? Pls elaborate...

[@jeffparker9791]

Peter Martin! You NEVER cease to amaze me, brother!

[@opendoorproperty]

I've listened to Stevie Wonder for years. He's not on another level but a whole other dimension. I love his music. But hearing it broken down like this and disecting the chords, makes u really see what Stevie was playing. It makes me wanna stop playing and singing all together. Lol This post is emensely inspiring but daunting at the same time. LoL. All seriousness, thx for this post.

[@jas_bataille]

Why? Pentatonics are very simple scales to learn. You may need to unlearn some reflexes but it's not as intense as it feels.

[@mooniebo2752]

I’m here for the Stevie videos all day every day

[@thewizard4658]

In lack of a better vernacular... Legit!!!!! 👏💯👍

[@clarklovell5885]

Dang! Class is in session up in here! KEEP THE STEVIE CONTENT COMING!

[@Neoanalogism]

Extremely beautiful playing

[@coreysmith8487]

Thank you very much for explaining and showing. Great chords, beautiful song. You play amazingly, smooth and wildly interesting. 🌞🎶🌧🎶🌙🎶

[@Nestor_Fernandez]

Interesting and beautifully presented. Thanks a lot!

[@davidcuite1521]

Pure gold! Thanks a ton Peter!

[@BestFitSquareChannel]

WOW!!! Brilliant! Tears of joy. Astounding... superb presentation, superb graphics... wonderful. Thank you.

[@edzielinski]

Well done! So professional and well thought out.

[@dtfoel1230]

I appreciate your passion, recognition, explanation, demonstration of Stevie Wonders music. I'm a fan of music I don't know what you are talking about but I hear what you're saying. I'm glad I found you and your posts. I feel you are one of the cats.

[@andrewwright6893]

Peter your playing is incredible. Really interesting video lesson. Superb cheers

[@paulosena584]

This is awesome!!! Keep up the good work!!

[@alanpecherer5705]

Beautiful playing, Peter!

[@orlandotaylor5325]

Thank You! So truly appreciated.

[@arisumego]

I would take an entire semester or two long course on Stevie's music from Peter

[@maxforce70ify]

Great, you are very able to explain and playing all in.

[@CWBella]

I love the way the melody is like this ray of sunshine coming out of the intro. Sonic "Joy".

[@soulbrotha4u]

Beautiful playing

[@RogerLato2]

Thank you so much for this....

[@Dnomasorneiluj]

Great content. Big up from France

[@gobstopperice]

Great stuff as always! I’m starting to think the random fluff always on Peters head is his jazz antenna 😂

[@ReedRobins]

KILLER peter!!! I am now a FAN! Keep 'em coming!👍

[@24111949]

thx alot Peter !! so good explained ....

[@sndctrl]

Genius simply genius

[@schrando1004]

so good teacher !

[@madst8795]

So good. Thank you < 3

[@DanielBarberMusic]

Just glorious.

[@user-ug7ii2gx3i]

That's so good... so good... I need to get out of my comfort zone and learn these.

[@carlosrangel1270]

thanks so much, Master.

[@CMM5300]

Every major scale mode has 3 possible maj/min pentatonics that can be used. I tried to help make sense of some of that.

[@Javkillers]

you can use 4 blues major scales for each major scale also, i think. You can use the root, 2nd, 4th and 5th

[@curiouscurious6558]

awesome Peter, I do actually like the Steve just goes a Bb (one chord sound) the last chord of the intro. then throws us a curve going to Eb. (melody notes d and Bb to Eb. Thank you for all you do!

[@rgferreira78]

Pure gold

[@Manjusri54]

damn. outstanding, brother peter!

[@patzimmusic]

Awesome!

[@MarcEncabo]

Beautiful

[@felixayala05]

Marvelous. Just marvelous.

[@owonobrandon8747]

Blessed

[@barneshomestead1240]

Amazing.

[@DrGasne]

Thanks KZbin for the ad you provided at 03:18! It allowed me to breathe :)

[@samuelleongadea1941]

GOD!!! WHAT AN AWESOME MUSICAL UNIVERSE

[@daled1522]

Love it

[@josegorbe]

Genius Peter

[@GaxtonOkobah]

Woooow!!!!

[@jmcjuan]

Thank you so much. Can you please share proper fingering for practicing the pentatonic scales?

[@Julian7alejandro]

The Great teacher ever

[@DaveSalvator]

Thanks for this. Probably my second favorite Stevie tune (the first one is As). Esperanza Spalding's version of this as a samba is also fantastic.

[@antoinesurot6742]

6:37 so good...

[@rvaug2171]

Greetings. May I ask what Make , Model and size piano you are playing. Truly a quality piano whatever it is.

[@selmaranieriviana3029]

Genial

[@SkylerAcord]

my guy you are so underrated

[@mynamesjono]

Editing is next level!

[@antonellomascarello4698]

💛

[@jimibeamon7316]

Sheesh 🔥🔥🔥

[@fiscaldisco5234]

Maybe my favorite video I've ever seen haha

[@user-xz8ce6xf5r]

Gorgeous but flying over my head-like magic😅

[@SarahMaeBea]

How do I identify these hidden pentatonics? Instead of being told what to play. What are they built from so that I can identify them myself?

[@alexangeloallen]

There's a few in this that are based off of the third of the chord, ie. E minor pentatonic over C major chord, this just gives you colour tones without the root! Hope this helps

[@fiscaldisco5234]

There's no set rule but here is what I usually use as a guide: Maj7 chords: work well with minor pent built off of the major third or major 6th m7 chords: work well with minor pent off the root Dominants: work well with minor pent built off the second or 5th for a sus sound The main thing is just realizing that you can superimpose a pentatonic scale on almost any chord tone to get interesting colors out. Those above are some of the most pleasant sounding which I think fit better for this type of music but you can explore with others to get a spicier sound.

[@jamesp.mcquoid1639]

Analyze and find the pattern. Try them with the same or similar chords in different songs and contexts. try them in different keys. You'll start to hear the stuff in the playing of others, then you start hearing it and playing it yourself. A little smart stealing and re-appropriation will go a long way!

[@CMM5300]

First learn each major scale mode has 3 possible maj/min pentatonics that fit each mode. A Dorian A min pent , B min pent, E min pent for example. Secondly go through all 12 keys of maj/min pentatonic scale super imposed over a dom7 chord. Write down and learn what intervals are being used and devolpe which ones you like. There's a whole lot of other pentatonic scales also altered pentatonic scales Dom pent 1 2 3 5 b7 for example Can be superimposed. Thirdly go through the maj/min pent and start altering 1 note at a time. Write them all down. Again developed your own opinion about them Min pent 1 b3 4 5 b7 1 b3 4 5 7 1 b3 4 5 6 1 b3 4 5 b6 1 b3 4 #5 b7 1 b3 4 6 b7 1 b3 4 b5 b7 1 b3 #4 5 b7 1 b3 b4 5 b7 1 3 4 5 b7 1 2 4 5 b7 1 b2 4 5 b7 Work out that there's 5 possible modes for each one. Some are related. Do the same thing with major pentatonic. You'll start finding all the possible pentatonics within the major modes and a lot of other scale/modes. Learn modal pentatonics. Research the subjects. Every time you take on a lot of information take some time to let it set in subconsciously over several months. It's a life long journey and all I can tell you is down every hallway is another door with a hallway filled with more doors and hallways. It never ends. Good luck

[@CMM5300]

His altered pentatonic is E min with a flat A 1 b3 b4 5 b7 (#9, 3) From Hungarian minor (Lydian dom #9) 1 #2 3 #4 5 6 b7 Or Phrygian b4 (Harmonic major mode 3) 1 b2 3 b4 5 b6 b7 It could also come from Dorian b4 (Ionian b5 mode 2) 1 2 b3 b4 5 6 b7 Altered pentatonic would have a b5 also 1 b3 b4 b5 b7 From the altered scale (melodic minor mode 7) 1 b2 b3 b4 b5 b6 b7

[@esauponce9759]

Pure gold! ❤

[@dfreeman120]

Nice

[@ofkhod3638]

I failed to understand how you choose what pentatonic scale to use over what chord. Do you just do it by ear or is there a more formulaic way? I would appreciate the help

[@corradolentinello6297]

Ciao dall'Italia Prova a prendere la pentatonica di Bbm anche sul Bmaj7.

[@Malcolm.Y]

Your E alt on the Bb7. I think we used to call that the Jimmy Hendrix Scale.

[@dariusmines]

5:59 😂 oh my goodness. So many things are possible.

[@CrossBonesAlex]

💯👌

[@zenshire]

Frank Zappa had some great takes with hidden pentatonic ideas. Thanks Peter, awesome as always.

[@gonzalosocias]

The intro section reminds jobin's one note samba

[@CMM5300]

I know piano is different from guitar. The main hidden pentatonics people use are the 4 Dorian 1 step up Phrygian 1 step down The relative majors are Mixolydian 1 step down Lydian 1 step up So if you learn and combine the root pentatonic and superimposed pentatonic once it works for all 4 of those. Other 2 are minor pent 1.5 step up locrian Minor pent 1.5 step up can also work to super imposed the altered scale. 1.5 steps down would superimpose locrian nat2 aka Aeolian b5.

[@45juko]

please pdf

[@PianoStudioNancy]

Hello Peter, think it's fine to add, in the bridge, a m6 chord after AbM7 / BbM7 (it matches the melody)

[@ItaniuMatrix]

The melody goes to the 6, however the chord stays major. Respectfully, I listened to the Stevie Wonder track and don't think it goes to m6. So staying on M7 is fine.

[@PianoStudioNancy]

@@ItaniuMatrix yes fore sure, but it's not forbidden because sw don't play it .. Its just a reharm idea witch is also fine..

[@UkuleleAversion]

4:54 Our first “moo” chord? What?

[@T_MoneyBagz_shoota]

Mu

[@CMM5300]

E altered pentatonic 1 b3 b4 5 b7 (or #9,3) From Hungarian major (Lyd dom #9) 1 #2 3 #4 5 6 b7

[@ethancooper4154]

Now we have our first Mu chord! Yeah! Awesome! What?

[@GizzyDillespee]

Cow chord! It conducts better than bismuth! I think I'd call it a sus2 with a shell in the LH... but I'm not a jazzer, so you'd best wiki that definition! (I haven't gotten to that part of the vid yet😅)

[@GizzyDillespee]

I just HAD to look it up, in case... I was close, but it's more of an add2 than sus2 idea...

[@raphaelhudson]

What software are using to live notate your playing?

[@UkuleleAversion]

Soundslice

[@erictwiss3521]

I would gladly like to play it like that mang ....But I don't have a 120K Bosendorfer Grand Pianol, heh

[@jeffreydelisle7337]

I think many of your fans and students including this one would appreciate just a bit more definition of terms. I’ve never heard of an altered pentatonic nor of a blues pentatonic so I was left in the dust on this one.

[@WP-pn6nu]

I have a little hard time to understand why for example Ebmaj7 fits with Gm pentatonic, is it due to the fact that Eb has Maj7, that Gm pentatonic will fit? Because without the Maj7, it would have to be a Gm pentatonic + major 2nd, which is not included otherwise. Is this what's called an altered pentatonic? I feel lost...😢 Is this why it works?

[@briant7882]

BROO CMON WHY IM LATE TO KNOW THIS CHANNEL

[@rockstarjazzcat]

🤙🏼

[@arataka57]

I think the diminished sub makes it sound a little too off the style. But again, jazz is jazz 🙂

[@daled1522]

more Stevie wonder please

[@eekamak]

So is the "hidden pentatonic" always from the third?

[@CMM5300]

Super imposed maj/min pentatonic scales all 12 over E: Bb/Gm = Locrian F/Dm = Phrygian C/Am = Aeolian G/Em = minor pentatonic D/Bm = Mixolydian A/Gbm = Dorian E/Dbm = major pentatonic B/Abm = Ionian F#/Ebm = Lydian Db/Bbm= Lydianb2 Ab/Fm= Lydian #5b2 Eb/Cm= Locrian nat 7 This is all subjective because each maj/min pentatonic scale can be played in 3 modes and is a matter of opinion. Bb/Gm would go good over E ALTDOM because it yields b9 #9 and b5. There are charts with all the intervals for all 12 superimposed over dom and ALT DOM chords. Anyone can write out all the intervals. Any scale can be played 1 way and super imposed 11 ways. Hirijoshi 1 2 b3 5 b6 Kumoi 1 2 b3 5 6 Dom pent 1 2 3 5 b7 Lyd aug pent 1 3 #4 #5 7 For example

[@ksiazepaweek1064]

I dont think it's possible to improvise this way and I'm pretty sure it's not his approach

[@nicowyatt-smith7835]

Be it super impressive, but unfortunately for me this video is a bit over my head. How did you choose what hidden pentatonic scale to play over what chord.? just so i can try take the same principle in other songs etc. Is it just picking pentatonic scales from neighbouring keys instead of playing on the root note? is there a concept or an idea that i can educate myself on so i can understand your choices in irregular scales over chords? thank you

[@youngchico4344]

Yeah pick related pentatonics, especially those that share notes. It’s about creating connecting lines accords the chords instead of winding between scales. It’s more like singing.

[@mdp303]

« Wouldn’t you rather play it like this? « Yes please…I’m trying to imagine any one saying « no not really »🤭

[@UkuleleAversion]

I liked both.

[@CMM5300]

Hidden pentatonics. Eb Lydian=F/Dm, Bb/Gm (Eb/Cm) C Dorian=F/Dm, Bb/Gm (Eb/Cm) Relative major/minor pentatonics

[@MH-il1lk]

Slonimsky transcibed different pentatonic scales in his thesaurus.

[@NoName-yp6ow]

Thank you ! Just à comment: why playing so fast ? You have time for explanattions 😀

[@vibenmusic]

It’s funny because this is the only way I know how to think about music, all the stuff at the beginning is what I don’t understand

[@mater5930]

Most comedians play Stevie Wonder like this: 😎

[@jasonsan9517]

Respectfully speaking, I think the “Jazz” approach sound much more developed and musical. The “hidden” pentatonic approach sounds like a pianist who doesn’t have much to say musically.

[@georgerikken]

Lesson in making funny faces...

[@michaellicko2746]

This was helpful, but you never went over how the pentatonics were structured. You never answered the question in the thumbnail: what is an altered pentatonic? It’s like he got so excited to play the demonstration that he forgot to go over the actual scales!

[@johnmac8084]

I'm out of my depth here

[@IanKEllard]

Me too, John. This one was more of a nodalong for me.

[@CANARYHP]

That's not even the same song