The Fiddle Secrets of Pentatonic Scales

Fiddle Tips

The Five Note Pentatonic Scale

Pentatonic scales form the backbone of folk music. They are also used extensively in jazz.
One of the first tunes I learned, Acorn Hill Breakdown, uses a D Pentatonic scale to create
the melodic line in the A part.

Knowing these scales, ability to play these scales will strengthen your whole fiddling life.
Concentrate on the primary keys that are used in fiddling, C, G, D, A and E...and F.

Take a look at the two tab charts that show the picture of pentatonic scales and how to use
pentatonic patterns to build speed.

The first shows the G and D pentatonic scales: Pentatonic Scales

The second shows how they can be used to develop rapid fingering technique: Pentatonic Patterns

Learning these patterns and scales will give you the creative building blocks to make up your own excellent variations on popular fiddle tunes.

 

 

 

 

 

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