question on theory

[Kirby161]

I know the pentatonic scales, but how do i use them.
i hear david grisman play around with them but is there any method to his madness?
i do declare, this music theory is damnable.

[mandocrucian]

The Pentatonic Mandolin (http://www.elderly.com/books/items/46-16.htm)

[John Flynn]

I have taught a couple of people to play pentatonics and I take a "non-theory" approach to it. Just get a some recording tracks of a guitar going through different 1-4-5 chord progressions. You can record your own or buy some "jam tracks" CDs. Then, with the backing track playing, just start fooling around with the appropriate pentatonic scales. Use the major pentatonic for bluegrass and country and the minor pentatonic for blues and rock (even though you still use major chords). Don't worry about knowing what you're doing. With a 1-4-5 and the pentatonic, you really can't make a mistake. Make up your own riffs and see how they sound. No matter where you are going with a rif, change something about it when the chords change. Eventually you will start to hear what sounds good. You will also start to "create" rifs that sound familiar, from 1-4-5 tunes that you grew up with. I have to believe that whoever invented pentatonics way back when knew nothing about theory.

[tiltman]

Two things -

1) The pentatonic mandolin is a very helpful book. Also check out "Bluegrass up the Neck".

2) If you take the above advice and play around with pentatonics over a 1-4-5 progression (very good advice) also be sure and throw in a lot of double stops. I find the pentatonics to be VERY helpful with taking a break on a tune I've never played before and allowing me to throw in a lot of double stops - powerful stuff to add to your playing.

Kirk
Portland, OR

PS - Hey Niles (you don't know me but I hope to meet you someday), I'll soon be ordering another copy of "Bluegrass up the Neck" - my dog literally ate it! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[duuuude]

I'll second "Pentatonic Mandolin" for getting a grip on putting the scales to use, it'll keep you busy for awhile. Niles has a great way of presenting the "method behind the madness".