Pentatonic Scale for fiddle- why is it so useful for folk players?

The pentatonic scale, consisting of five notes, is used by folk players in many different traditions. In this fiddle lesson I show different ways of working out the scale in different keys, using either the degrees of the major scale, the melody, the intervals or the fingerings. I demonstrate the use of the pentatonic scale with the Irish Polka Britches full of Stitches. I explain the relative minor pentatonic scale, and show its use in the folk tune Over the Sea to Skye. I talk about the minor pentatonic in an Appalachian context, and demonstrate the "Mountain Minor" or "minor modal" tune Lonesome John, and finally play out with the country song Will the Circle be Unbroken, including some pentatonic improvisation.
Below are details of further fiddle resources from Chris Haigh
1. Patreon
2. Books
3. Subscription video courses
4. Website
5. Email to request pdf’s.
1. PATREON
This is a platform where anyone can help support creative artists and get closer access to their work. You can join me on Patreon at three levels, for £4, £10 or £40 per month.

At the lowest level you get access to all my pdf’s and tune collections, plus many exclusive tuition videos not available to the public.
At level 2 you can join also me once a month for a group Zoom chat, and can request a backing track once a month.
Level 3 gives you all the above plus a free lesson once a month, and access to all my backing tracks.
You can find me on Patreon at
/ thefiddlechannel
2. BOOKS
I have seven fiddle tuition books published by Schott Music, all widely available from the publisher, from Amazon, and many other outlets. All come with audio tracks illustrating the tunes and exercises.
Exploring Jazz Violin
Beginning Jazz Violin
Discovering Rock Violin
Exploring Folk Fiddle
Exploring Klezmer Fiddle
Hungarian Fiddle Tunes
French Fiddle Tunes
Exploring Country and Bluegrass Fiddle
You can order from
bit.ly/31ZWmgm
3. VIDEO SUBSCRIPTION COURSES
I have three video subscription courses
MUSIC GURUS- Exploring Jazz Violin. Based on my Schott book
Parts 1 and 2 are each £26 for 26 lessons, covering the first and second halves of the book
Part 1; tinyurl.com/49tfk5ef
Part 2 tinyurl.com/23atebfc
-MUSIC GURUS Discovering Rock Violin. . Based on my Schott book
£35 for 46 lessons
tinyurl.com/2ua2kuxh
ACADEMY OF FOLK
Includes a folk fiddle primer course, with introductions to basic techniques and concepts plus an Irish Fiddle Course and Scottish fiddle course. A monthly sub of $9.99 gives access to all lessons
academyoffolk.com/
4. WEBSITE
My website is probably the most extensive and detailed summary of fiddle styles on the web, as evidenced by the range of top hits on Google for many fiddle styles.
www.fiddlingaround.co.uk
_______________________________________________________________________
TO REQUEST PDF’S, or ask any questions, CONTACT ME AT
[e-mail]

[@poppyk1431]

I look forward to the lesson using the pentatonic scale for improvision .

[@sadhbhdelahunt]

Excellent, great

[@mitchdickson254]

Rodney and Doug Dillard put words to that tune and recorded it back in the 70s as "Go the whole world round" It's on their Dillard's Live album.

[@gunnarbergvall6502]

Very good that you showed it om the black ones. I have never thought about it that way. Thanks a lot. It really helped .

[@TheFiddleChannel]

It's quite a surprise when you first discover it!

[@francoissamuel8336]

great lesson thanks

[@ncao]

thanks for the tutorial. Love it.

[@audiehunt7721]

I really like what you teach! Nice haircut!

[@mikekinch4338]

I think the "Shave and a haircut" is timeless, keep it in for sure! Smiling even as I write this!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

🤣

[@stevebrowne8421]

Great lesson and Haircut !!!

[@israeldiaz4431]

Exelent great info , thank you so much !!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks Israel.

[@FrankJFerendo]

Thank you so much! Wonderful lesson.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks Frank!

[@Redeyefiddler]

Appreciate ya!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks Tex!

[@louiseh1727]

I would love the dots!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Hi Louise. Send me an email to [e-mail]

[@nykkoll5089]

I'm playing a Talharpa and i found your tutorial to be really helpful! You explain everything really clear and comprehensive!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks Nykkoll!

[@busterthehedgehog]

Thanks, I love your videos. I play in a group that does their own music, and I feel like I've spent so much time trying to figure out how this all works theory-wise when I'm trying to figure out the tonal structure of the piece, both for fiddle licks and sung harmonies. I keep trying to figure out the chords, and why some things work and some don't when I don't think they should. It's all complicated in that I'm not always in agreement with what they say the key of the piece is, and so very often the leading tone is left out. I'm taking fiddle lessons, but I really feel like if I can just get a grip on what is actually happening, I might be better. But I am resigned to trying to listen and improvise, which has never been my strong suit.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Glad to hear you're enjoying my videos! Asking the key can be misleading if, for example, it's a modal tune, or if it's a blues with a minor feel but major chords. I think with most songs, you have to experiment with either a major or minor pentatonic scale until you find one that fits most or all of the chords.

[@busterthehedgehog]

I find that most of the time it ends up being mixolydian. :D@@TheFiddleChannel

[@TheFiddleChannel]

@@busterthehedgehog You're right- I often do the same.

[@johnmc3862]

Happy haircut!!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

😂

[@oldtimetinfoilhatwearer]

Was that clinch mountain backstep without the backstep in the beginning?

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Hi Gabe. That's Lonesome John- a very similar tune!

[@houstonsam6163]

That's what I thought as well. I have to believe Ralph Stanley knew this old number and adapted some of it.

[@terrencegeorge3730]

Thanks for sharing!!! You should use a service such as P R O M O S M!!