Pentatonic Scale

If i were to sit down with a couple o' guys, to you know, just jam in "Bb," would i use the Minor pentonic and its progression, or the major with its progression? Because i've noticed that, say, A7 works well in the Aminor pentatonic box, but its not in key! What do i use? major or minor? Or shouldn't i care? I heard that blues has less rules than classical music.

All i want to know is when someoen in a blues band says Bb or A, do they mean Major, or Minor?!

Hi Shoota,

Almost always minor for blues for that 'I've got the blues' feeling. :)

Blues def has less rules than classical! Even though you may be playing an A7 chord that has a major 3rd in it, you can still solo on the Amin pentatonic scale for blues and it works.

Originally Posted by: ShootaMcgavinIf i were to sit down with a couple o' guys, to you know, just jam in "Bb," would i use the Minor pentonic and its progression, or the major with its progression?[/quote]
You need more infomation. Everything depends upon two things:

1. The context (what key, what chords are in the progression).
2. Your intention.

Is it Bb major or minor? Is it a rock or country or blues tune? What kind of sound do you want to add with your guitar (happy, sad, mean, lonely)?

Originally Posted by: ShootaMcgavinBecause i've noticed that, say, A7 works well in the Aminor pentatonic box, but its not in key!

Actually some of the notes are in key. And the others provide the characteristic sound of the blues. Look at these tutorials, they will give you an explanation and some licks to play immediately:

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=217
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=232
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=244

When you are ready for more info look here:

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=296
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=185
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=722

[QUOTE=ShootaMcgavin]All i want to know is when someoen in a blues band says Bb or A, do they mean Major, or Minor?!

Ask them. If they don't know, then listen to the chords or watch their fingers. Most of the time they probably mean a major key with minor embellishment notes. But there are plenty of exceptions.

For a complete intro to improv look here:

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=483
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=491

Hope that helps. Let us know!

Wow, this is fantastic!
Thanks Chris, I'm diggin' your vids too

peace! :D

Originally Posted by: ShootaMcgavinWow, this is fantastic!
Thanks Chris, I'm diggin' your vids too

Welcome, best of success with it!

Originally Posted by: ShootaMcgavinIf i were to sit down with a couple o' guys, to you know, just jam in "Bb," would i use the Minor pentonic and its progression, or the major with its progression? Because i've noticed that, say, A7 works well in the Aminor pentatonic box, but its not in key! What do i use? major or minor? Or shouldn't i care? I heard that blues has less rules than classical music.

All i want to know is when someoen in a blues band says Bb or A, do they mean Major, or Minor?!

There are major and minor blues progressions - keep that in mind. But in the typical scenario that you describe, they usually mean a basic 1-4-5 blues progression using all 7th chords. You can get away with using the blues scale of that key (minor pentatonic with an added b5) over the whole progression, but when you get bored with that, you might want to consider focusing on the chord tones of each chord when it's played. Mix that with the blues scale, and you will have a more sophisticated sound.