Ukulele Workshops

Schedule | 2023 

POP UP UKE Lessons via Zoom
Sundays 6-7 pm ET

EPIC SUMMER WORKSHOP TOUR!

Steve Kaufman Bluegrass Camp
Marysville, Tennesse
June 18-24, 2023

The Taproom
Nashville, Tennesse
June 30, 2023

Huntsville Ukulele Group
Huntsville, Alabama
July 1, 2023

Ernie Williamson Music
Springfield, Missouri
July 8, 2023

Ernie Williamson Music
Joplin, Missouri
July 8, 2023

Omaha Conservatory of Music
Omaha, Nebraska
July 13, 2023

Damm Music Center
Wichita, Kansas
July 15, 2023

Edmond Music
Edmond, Oklahoma
July 16, 2023

Stillwater Ukulele Association
Stillwater, Oklahoma
July 18, 2023

Bentley Guitar Studios
Parkville (Kansas City), Missouri
July 22, 2023

Maplewood Ukulele Group
Maplewood (St. Louis), Missouri
July 23, 2023

Arthur’s Music Store
Indianapolis, Indiania
July 29, 2023

Buckeye Ukulele Society
Columbus, Ohio
July 30, 2023

BECOME A POP UP UKE PATRON FOR ONLY $12 PER MONTH!

Become a Patron!

 

The Major Pentatonic Scale: No Tension Here

Posted on: October 29th, 2009 by dville

In August we found out about the tension and resolution factor of the V7 chord (G7 in the key of C) to the I chord (C) and what happens when you take out the two notes that are creating all the tension in the V7 chord: you’re left with a very friendly sounding Major Pentatonic Scale.

The C Major Pentatonic Scale consists of five tones, C-D-E-G-A. In the audio clip below I’ve added the octave C.

Notice the two notes that were left out of the Major Pentatonic Scale, the F and the B. Play those two together. There’s the tension of the G7 chord. There are many songs that use the notes of the Major Pentatonic Scale for their melody. Take the Tennessee Waltz for example. Another that comes to mind is Buttons and Bows. If you know of some popular Pentatonic melodies, please post them in the comments section.

3 Responses

  1. Curt Sheller Publications says:

    Camptown Races is all Pentatonic, except for one passing tone near the end. Melody starts on the 5th of the scale and the first interval is the third of the scale, E. Example would be C Pentatonic (C D E G A C') and the melody starts on G.A tip for playing is that that second section "Gone a run all day" is major arpeggio. 1 3 5 8 or C E G C'Knowing info like this for melodies and songs cut's out wrong notes. If you know all the notes only come from a particular scale or tonality and mastered the fingerings for the same yu can never play a melody wrong.

  2. Jim's Bio says:

    Here are a few more Major Pentatonic melodies posted on the Flea Market Music site in response to this post.Shortin'BreadEvery Little Breeze Seems To Whisper Louise Angeline The Baker (fiddle tune)Billy In The Lowground (fiddle tune)

  3. Uke Gal says:

    The opening riff to "My Girl" ascends the major pentatonic scale directly which is how I remember how it sounds.

Ukulele Tutorials

Playing By Ear


Play Ukulele By Ear 1
Vol. 1 DVD or Download
more info


Play Ukulele By Ear 1.5
Playing By The Numbers
Download Only
more info


Play Ukulele By Ear 2
Vol. 2 DVD or Download
more info


Play Ukulele By Ear 3 Download Only
more info

 


see all products
& descriptions

read reviews


© 2012-2023 Jim d'Ville play ukulele by ear  |  graphics and layout by lindesign  |  built and maintained by Gray's Web Design