A DEEPER dive into Pentatonics Practice - Peter Martin - LONGER VERSION

You asked for it... now it's here. Peter follows up his 2 Minute Jazz rendition of "The RIGHT Way to Practice Pentatonics" with this "30 Minute Jazz" lesson from his flagship course: The Jazz Piano Method.

[jimjennings]

I wasn't seeing content like this before. What I remember was prefatory comments, jokes, banter and no content, "see you next time!" -- THIS is what I wanted and who can do it better than Peter Martin? I love this video!

[danielmay]

18'04 = Peter thinking close to the following for those interested:

Starts - Cmin pent - Cmin7 chord
- C#min pent - C#4th - Bmi 4th voicing (Bmi7 chord or C#mi7 chord to Bmi7 chord)
Back to - Cmi pent - Cmi chord (Briefly-ish)
- Fmi pent - Gbma7 chord
** - Thinking A7 chord with 4th voicings (mixture of D & A pentatonic but mainly A pentatonic with an added D-C# movement)
Back to - Cmin pent - Cmi7 chord
** - Fmi pent over Bb7 changing to Right Hand Bb major triad (Hitting the D octaves ala Chick Corea)
- Then smashes a ii-7 V7 alt I line in Eb major
Back to - Cmi pent - Cmin chord


** Thinking 'modal playing' over chords means adding extra notes than the straight pentatonic like the 4th degree in A7 (D)

[marksderberg]

Love the way you guys (Peter and Adam) talk. "Violently different", "I saw some whack stuff online". So nice to see people who are actually hip without effort.

[DonyaLane]

I would love to hear Peter discuss what's going on in his left hand voicings. The reharms are what makes this sound so hip!

[pickinstone]

Bam! Where's the empty critique now, folks? Criticism helps us grow, but c'mon. Where else on the internet are we getting content like this? Wow! Here's a guy that hasn't just played with local heroes like most of us would wish to do, he's played with the masters. He IS a master. And yet, he still listens to the squabble that we create here in the comment section, and he LISTENS. This video was created in response to the "pandemonium" that the first pentatonic video started. Peter and Adam are actual jazz musicians, and they run Open Studio Jazz. As much as I love Truefire, can they say that? There's a difference when the people that run the show are actual jazz musicians. Ask Christian McBride, ask Dianne Reeves. Had to vent. I don't want the BS posturing of Youtube to kill content from Peter and Adam. THAT would be the disservice the musical community. Think on that, naysayers.


What Pete said about practicing beyond 2 octaves should apply to all instruments; guitarists, I'm looking at you. Playing in position is important, but learning the mechanisms so you can play the entire range of the instrument with more fluidity--that's more freedom. Opens up you line playing as well. Can't wait to try these out on the ol' cigar box.

[RickIppolito]

Dude, I could die a happy man if I could play what you show on this video. Thanks, for caring enough to share your knowledge and talent!

[blindy]

Incredibly valuable lesson. I could listen to Peter say "fraghuz" at 17:52 for hours. Thank you, Open Studio!

[antimatter]

for reference:
lvl 1a: 7:50
lvl 1b just triplets
lvl 1c just sixteenths
lvl 2a: 17:10
lvl 2b just triplets
lvl 2c just sixteenths
lvl 2 fingering: 22:15

[davidwhite]

Peter, you’ve said two things that were enormously important to me:

One: to use the fifth and fourth fingers of the right hand to keep the wrist from bending

And two: One can conceptualize the walking bass as divided into triplets

That greatly helped my rhythm playing

So I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you so much!

[JorgePreza-Bass-Piano]

I want to express my gratitude, Peter, for letting me know some secrets to improve my piano playing, this is really well explained and, over all, awesome. Cheers

[davidmiller]

Peter this is golden for all players. You are the Czerny of Pentatonics !! I think pentatonics work so well because they are quartal structure in nature = start on the 3rd of a major pent. chord, lay all the tones out ascending = perfect fourths. So all this horizontal improvisation sizzles in P 4th's (just gorgeous colorings). Thanks PM.

[raymondrussell]

Peter, you are absolutely a pentatonic master!!..just fantastic!! And thanks for the lesson!!

[dong]

I like this! I like that you mentioned start slow and the significance of strengthening the 5th fingers. I noticed a good number of your patterns occur where the hand is in one position allowing the fingers to play several patterns with minimal movement of the hand. That reminds me of when my college piano teacher introduced me to playing scales, in all keys, with both hands. At first, learning scales, like that, was horrible. But when I got it, I loved it, and appreciated the value of "start slow". Thanks Peter!

[randyraul-walters]

Incredibly valuable. Peter Martin delivers! Been scouring Google for exactly THIS. Thank you!

[DOROHNENTERTAINMENT]

keep this coming Mr. I love how you are breaking down secrets to tools that we can use for improvisation and solo techniques that we can use to our advantage. I want to learn & know what you are fluent in on Jazz piano. Keep the great teaching coming sir!... D. DoRohn Gough Sr. #ImAHugeFanOfYourSkill

[anicetjoy]

Peter! This is one of the best videos on YouTube about pentatonic! Complete, helpful, creative, and nice! Just add the left hand and it will be a full master class that we can learn for years

[russellszabadosaka-pindin]

I grew up practicing scales, chord inversions and arpeggios in 4 octaves too. It was non-negotiable and I'm grateful for it now.

[davidjoseph]

I am left with impression that this class is, chiefly, a discussion of the "Philosophy of musical performance". The piano functions as an instruction aide. This is really helpful. I feel encouraged to try weird, difficult stuff to kill time. Killer.

[marianlevy]

Thanks so much, Peter! I have never learned pentatonic patterns in my 50 years of playing classical piano ( does sound like some Debussy runs ) Starting at 1A… these patterns and fingerings are very pianistic and fit the hand and really take off after slow practice

[donnelljohnson]

That first part is so intimidating, almost ended the video 😂😂😂