Superimposing Pentatonics on Major 7th chords

Today, we will look at superimposing the 'classic' minor Pentatonic on
Major 7ths chords.

➡ visit my site for latest practice resources:
➡ support my work:

[andreafrancocolombo]

Bass player here: astonishingly effective hack, thank you!

[themennissvids]

The fun thing about this is that the minor pentatonic you're using is one fifth away from the usual. (Em pent instead of Am pent on Cmaj7).

It's a step in the bright-wards direction on the circle of fifths.

If you go the other way (Dm pentatonic on Cmaj7) you get the 9, nat 11 (spicy for a major chord), fifth, sixth, and root.

If you go one brighter from Em pent you get B pent which is the maj7th, 9th, 3rd, #11, and 13th/sixth which gives a lydian sound that I'm a big fan of!

You can keep going one more to get some Jacob Collier esque superlydian sounds

F#m pent over Cmaj7 gives you the #11, 13th, maj7th, #15th! and 3rd. Extra spicy but still sounds inside to me (especially if you're in a higher register).

Cheers as usual for the video. <3

[tonybates]

As soon as Cmaj7 to Dbmaj7 was played I heard the intro to Bowie's 'Changes', and the Ebmaj7 on the piano is a dead ringer for the beginning of Smokey and the Miracles' "More Love".

[pedroantonioblanco]

We can also use the minor pentatonic starting from the 7th. For example, in Cmaj7 it would be B minor pentatonic (D major pentatonic) and we would get a cool sound.


Cmaj7 -> B - D - E - F# - A
Cmaj7 -> B (M7) - D (9th) - E(M3rd) - F#(#11) - A(13th)

[carlorenzi]

Something so simple, yet so complex in sound, still remains a calm sound.

[findtheothers]

This is the exact musical concept that has intrigued me and had me itching to learn. And I love dodecahedrons so this was just over all pleasant.

[Rony]

How can someone dislike this ??? What's wrong with the people ???
I'm guitarist and this is by far the best YT channel I've come across !!!
Keep up the good work Jazz Duets \m/

[robbesrh]

By playing the mediant minor pentatonic scale over the tonic root, you are essentially building a fifth chord structure which is the basis for Pythagorean tuning (I think?). In any event, stacking perfect fifths produces richly resonating harmony that is a departure from the mundane tertiary harmony upon which the major and minor triad is built. So, starting with root C and progressing a perfect fifth upward we arrive at G, then D, then A then E, then B. And lo and behold we have the Eminor pentatonic, which is also the G major pentatonic. If you continued stacking another 5th from B, you arrive at F#, the augmented 4th degree in C which sounds very beautiful and exotic. If you stop there, you end up with the G major scale, which shares all the notes in C, save one, the F#. Stack another 5th from F# and you get C#. Although a seemingly harsh dissonance with the tonic root, the wide separation and the upper register of its position actually make it quite workable. A Thelonius Monk would gladly take that C# and plunk it down in the middle register and play it loud and proud on strong beats.It also works well as a leading or passing tone. Going up further to G# and D# and you’ve begun flirting with the imposition of minor tonality on top of what has been major tonality which is something Stravinsky liked to do.

[mackk]

It's like when binky puts on the headphones and experiences the fractal

[kOaldsanity]

I love your videos. As a guitarist Ive always been blown away by jazz saxophonist shredders. Seeing those shapes and lines analyzed and with sheet music is soooo helpful in translating into my own practice/playing. Thanks for spreading the gnar🤘

[INmusic]

Such good music theory all packed into a short clip. These breakdowns explain the foundation of so many jazz improvisational techniques I've heard over the years

[wenglish]

It could also be looked at as the Major Pentatonic starting on the 5th of the Maj7 Chord. (G Major Pentatonic over C Maj7}

[LuukSwinkels]

This is just the thing I needed to get started with more jazz composing as a classical musician. Thank you so so much

[brunoe.]

This master class has changed my life! I bought the combo and I’ve been doing the exercises. The MP3s backing tracks are like a meditation. I can practice for hours. Nick you’re the best.

[grinpick]

Been playing guitars and keyboards for personal enjoyment about sixty years now. This video makes certain relationships that I had semi-grasped into a much more explicit and usable form. Thanks.

[grantmungo]

Awesome content! You can also start on the 7th of a major7 chord with the minor pentatonic, giving you the 7th, 2nd, 3rd, #4, and 6th. This gives a lydian feel, due to the #4 :)

[h.m.]

Dear Nick, I bought a PDF (cantaloupe Island) a few days ago and am very satisfied with the content and having a lot fun with the exercises. I think the odd note Groupings are especially nice and I would be really interested in a video about the rich rhythmic varieties one can do with them and how to practice these rhythms!!
Thank you so far for your Content
Jack

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Thanks for this incredible lesson! Folks may also enjoy Rick Beato's "Multiple Pentatonics over chords"

[arthurmee]

I just love your unique style of presentation and, of course, the content too.

[adelicateharmony]

Thanks so much for openly sharing your knowledge! It sounds like a good way to move away from standard chords and expand my sound palette!