Noodle Challenge Day 5
Pent Out
“When in doubt, pent out.”
Noodle Info
In honor of the 5th day of the challenge, the PENTATONIC scale will be the star of the show.
When we held 88 Creative Keys workshops, I learned from my colleague Bradley Sowash that the pentatonic scale has five notes that are “safe notes” for improvising melodies. That’s because there are no half-steps between the tones—no tension!
Once you determine the key, noodling with those five notes (more accurately, those pitches) to create a melody will sound good above ANY chord change.
Think of the pentatonic scale this way:
A nickel’s worth of notes, worth their weight in gold.
Psst…get out your recording app!
Your Challenge
Choose a left-hand pattern to plug into the “Heart and Soul” chord progression: C, Am, F, and G, or another four-chord progression of your choice.
To inch your way into this, start by creating a pattern with just 3 of the 5 pentatonic scale tones (CDE GA).
Play that pattern above the left-hand chord changes.
Now, create a pattern with all five notes of the pentatonic scale.
If you need rhythmic direction for your melody, use the rhythm of your favorite pasta dish. Ex: Spaghetti and Meatballs or Chicken Alfredo.
Play your pasta pattern above the left-hand chord changes.
Notice that you may have an itch to change the right-hand pattern by the time you reach the last chord. Scratch that itch and change the pattern!
EXTRA: Explore the pentatonic scale above a different chord progression in a new key.
Always ask yourself: What if I?
Did you stumble upon something amazing today?
Make sure to share it on Facebook or Instagram and tag me @leilaviss.
Use the hashtag #30daynoodlechallenge.
If improvising in the right hand while playing the left hand gets tricky or if you have trouble keeping a steady beat when noodling, check out MusiClock.
It offers cool backing tracks in every key!
