A new scale ...? Well, sort of. It's a hybrid between the evolution of the five note pentatonic color into the seven note major scale. What pitch get's left out? The fourth scale degree. Example 1.
Interesting eh? Sounds pentatonic yes but the leading tone adds a new twist, one that helps define tonal direction of the line.
So what do we lose when the fourth scale degree goes away? We'll for starters, an essential Gospel component of the 4 / 3 suspension. Rockers love this one too. Example 2.
4 / 3 suspension to tonic resolution |
Tis the opening lick of The Who's "Pinball Wizard" from Tommy n'est pas? Although different key... The 4 / 3 suspension is I think one we all love. What else goes away? Well, we lose the tritone from within the group. Thus no real dominant seventh chord in the diatonic sense. Example 3.
| 4 / 3 suspension | tritone dissonance over tonic | tonic resolution |
Tis the removal of this tritone dissonance that gives the new scale it's character and vibrancy. So where might we use it? Perhaps when playing pentatonically and want to add a bit of tonal direction with the leading tone? Seems to work nicely in the minor tonality. here we transpose the first line to it's relative minor, A. Example 4.
Cool huh? Ending the line on the B natural, not part of the pentatonic group from A, lends a nice new color when exploring in these areas.
So what do it mean Laddie? Well, as always just explore and experiment. Work out a few ideas with this group of pitches and try them out when you jamm with your friends.
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"You got to be careful if you don't know where you're going, because you might not get there." Yogi Berra
