JAZZ MUSIC

Bluegrass Guitar Scales

Bluegrass music is an offshoot of the country and western musical genre. As with country music, bluegrass has its foundation in the music of Ireland, Scotland and England. If bluegrass is centered on one area of the USA, it is Appalachia. The people are of Irish and Scottish descent and in their music instrumental virtuosity is not a poor relation of singing. In most forms of popular music the instruments back up the vocalist, but in bluegrass the vocals and the instruments are all just members of the team. In a bluegrass band everybody is expected to take a solo just as they do in a jazz band. The instruments associated with bluegrass music are acoustic guitar, banjo, fiddle and bass.

The main thing to remember if you want to learn to play bluegrass scales is to learn some tunes. That is what music is made of. The scales are just the foundation of melodies and you need to be able to break out of the confinement of your scale as soon as possible. The other thing learning tunes is good for is developing right hand speed. As you can tell from listening to bluegrass music, speed flatpicking is essential.

If you are interested in learning bluegrass music and you would like to start by learning scales, start with the major scales in the open position. Do not bother with going up the neck of the guitar yet because learning your scales in the open position is crucial for playing bluegrass solos. Learn the scale in the key of G first, then C, D, F, A and E. Learn the keys one at a time so that you are comfortable with one before you go onto the next key. As with all musical learning, the more work you put into it at the beginning, the greater the rewards and the quicker your progress.

When you sit down each day to practice your scales, spend five or ten minutes going up and down the scale alternately. Then experiment a little. Try playing the scale by skipping some notes or playing the notes randomly. You need to become very familiar with the major scale because bluegrass solos rely on major keys. To get further into bluegrass guitar scales, find examples of the major pentatonic and the major diatonic scale.
 
Another basic scale that is important in bluegrass, blues, country and rock music is the minor pentatonic scale. It has five notes, should be learned in all positions on the guitar neck in all keys, and has been used for lead solos by every guitar player known to man. It is also popularly known as the blues scale. If you do not know much about modes, do an internet search to get some idea of the difference between a scale and a mode. If you have trouble understanding the theory, do not worry, just try playing.

The mixolydian mode is a good “scale” to practice on also:

  E—————————————————————-0—–1—–3

  B————————————————-0—–1—–3—————

  G—————————————-0—-2——————————-

  D————————0—–2—–3—————————————-

  A——–0—–2—-3———————————————————

  E–3————————————————————————–

 

To get more in-depth knowledge of bluegrass guitar scales, some great bluegrass guitar players to listen to are Vassar Clements, Doc Watson, Darol Anger, Clarence White, Norman Blake and Sam Bush.

About the Author

Do you want to learn to play the guitar? http://playaguitarforfree.com/ is my blog which shows you that there are many people like you who wish to learn how to play bass, acoustic or electric guitar. You will find guitar lessons, videos, articles and reviews to answer your questions, calm your fears and help you play the guitar.

Harmonica Improv in key of G (C diatonic)

New Huang 102 Star Performer Brass Harmonica Blues Harp Diatonic key C do $0.01

New Swan Harmonica Blues Diatonic Harps Key of C do Boat shape in Silver $0.01

Brand new Suzuki Folkmaster Harmonica 10 Hole Blues Diatonic Key C do 1072 $0.01

New Folkmaster Suzuki Harmonica 1072 Blues harp Diatonic key of F $0.01

New Huang Silver tone Deluxe Harmonica 103 Blues Diatonic key of C do Brass $0.01

New Folk Master Suzuki Harmonica Diatonic Blues harp 10 hole key A $0.02

New Huang brand 103 Silvertone Silver color Harmonica Blues Diatonic key of D $0.01

New Swan Harmonica Blues Diatonic Harps Key of C Do 10 Hole + Case + cloth $6.99

New Huang Brand 102 Star Performer Harmonica Blues Harp Diatonic key C do $0.01

New Brass Swan Harmonica Blues Diatonic Harps Key of C do + gift case $0.99

Brand new Suzuki Folkmaster Harmonica 10 Hole Blues Diatonic Key D re 1072 $0.01

New Folk Master Suzuki 1072 Harmonica Diatonic Blues Harps key of G $0.02

New Swan Harmonica Diatonic Harps Key of C do 10 Hole Blues + Case clean cloth $0.01

New Vintage Brass Swan Harmonica Blues Diatonic Harps key of C Tune Do $0.99

New Huang Silver tone Deluxe Harmonica 103 Blues Diatonic key C do Brass $0.01

New Brass Swan Harmonica Blues Diatonic Harps key of C Tune do $0.01

New silver Suzuki 1072 Folk Master Harmonica 10 Hole Blues Key of C do Diatonic $9.99

New Swan Harmonica Blues Diatonic Harps silver 10 Hole Key of Bb with box $0.01

NEW Brass Vintage Huang Star Performer Diatonic Harmonica Blues key of A $0.01

New Huang Silvertone Deluxe Brass Harmonica Blues Diatonic key of G $0.01

Brand new Swan Diatonic Harmonica Blues Harps 10 Hole Key A $0.01

Brand new Swan Harmonica Blues Harp 10 Hole diatonic key of G with case + cloth $6.99

Hohner 532 MS Blues Harp Diatonic Harmonica Lot Keys of Ab and B L@@K $64.50

Hohner 560 Special 20 Diatonic Harmonica Key of C $37.99

LEE OSKAR KEY OF B MAJOR DIATONIC HARMONICA BRAND NEW $26.00

New Folkmaster Suzuki 1072 Harmonica Blues Diatonic key E $0.01

Hohner 542 Golden Melody Diatonic Harmonica Key of Bb $39.99

Lee Oskar Diatonic Harmonica, Key of C $37.99

New Swan Harmonica Diatonic Blues Harp 10 Hole key of D + Plastic case $0.99

Harmonica Swan 10 Hole Blues Power Diatonic Key of C $27.62

New Folk Master Suzuki 1072 Harmonica Diatonic Blues Harps key of G $0.02

Hohner 562 Pro Harp Diatonic Harmonica Key of F $39.99

New Suzuki FolkMaster Blues Harmonica Diatonic Harps 10 Hole Key of Bb $0.01

Hohner Marine Band Special 20 Diatonic Harmonica~Key of D + Oskar Lee Case $9.95

LEE OSKAR Tombo HARMONICA 1910 MAJOR DIATONIC KEY OF A $10.50

Guo Guang 24 Dual Holes C Key Diatonic Harmonica Harp $1.58

Hohner M2005 Marine Band Deluxe Blues Harp Diatonic Harmonica, Rounded, Key of G $58.95

Hohner M2009 Marine Band Crossover Diatonic Harmonica Key of A $69.99

Hohner Kids Clearly Colorful Translucent Harmonica, Assorted Colors $1.75 Colorful and great sounding! 10-hole harmonica with injection molded body and brass reeds. Colors will vary. Due to ongoing product color changes, we can not guarantee exactly which colors will be shipped and may be different than colors pictured….

Piano Horn by Schylling $5.99 A horn that uses piano keys to play different notes, 16 1/4 inches long….

Metal Musical Harmonica Instrument Key of C – 10 hole $2.99 Learn to play your favorite songs with this metal 10 hole harmonica in the key of “C”. Comes in a hinged box in assorted colors. We will select a color from our stock to fill your order. If you order multiple harmonicas we will fill your order with assorted colors from our stock….

Harmony in Context $50.00 Designed for undergraduate music majors, Harmony in Context provides the richest possible musical context for the study of harmony, constantly encouraging students to translate what they are learning into better performances and better listening. The musical examples and anthology encompass a wide variety of different composers and repertoires. Students will particularly appreciate the clarity of …

Diatonic Function $82.85 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles A diatonic function (also chord area), in tonal music theory, is the specific, recognized role of each of the 7 notes and their chords in relation to the (diatonic) key. Role in this context means the degree of tension produced by moving away to a note, chord or scale other than the tonic; and at the same time how this musical tension would be eased ( resolved ) towards the stability of returning to the tonic chord, note, or scale (namely, function ). A fourth feature is the ambiguity that arises from the use of the same terms to describe functions across all temporal spans of a hierarchical structure from the surface to the deepest level, and that the longer term or deeper functions act as a center for shorter higher level ones and that the functions of each tend to counteract each other. Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 108 Publication Date: 2010/12/15 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.26 inches

Chesbro Music 770070 Blues Band Harmonica $21.57 The reeds of diatonic harmonicas are tuned to produce the natural notes of the scale without sharps or flats. Each hole has a blow reed and a draw reed each tuned to a different note on the scale. Key of C. 10 Hole Diatonic.

Rhythm Band Instruments RB9669 Soprano Diatonic Xylophone $409.04 16 bar Soprano Diatonic C C RBI Xylophone. Features include beautiful solid wood frames correct intonation excellent resonance attached bar storage compartment mallet storage 2 mallets included bars contructed of himalayan rosewood.

Rhythm Band Instruments BWJG C Major Bass Diatonic Set $46.14 Consists of seven notes from C to B. Bass tubes add a whole new dimension to the sound and musical possibilities. Combines with the standard diatonic set to form two full diatonic octaves. Made in USA. Category: Music. Type: Percussion. Length: 50.5 . Width: 8 . Height: 5 .

Whacky Music WMBWDG Boomwhackers C Major Diatonic Scale Set $39.2 Boomwhackers C Major Diatonic Scale Set WmBwdg This 8note set allows more songs to be played and is generally preferred over the pentatonic scale by most music educators and people more familiar with music. This is our most popular set.

Rhythm Band Instruments RB107 8 Note Diatonic Handbell and Deskbell Set $61.85 This set of bells combines the features of both Handbells and Deskbells into one fun and versatile product. The special mechanism allows the bells to be played either by pushing the button or by hand ringing. The design helps reduce the double ringing effect when playing melodies. Cc Diatonic range. Material: Plastic. Category: Music. Type: Percussion. Length: 15 . Width: 7 . Height: 4 .

Rhythm Band Instruments RB117EX 20 Note Diatonic Handbell and Deskbell Set $157.91 Combines the features of both Handbells and Deskbells into one fun and versatile product. Special mechanism allows the bells to be played either by pushing the button or by hand ringing. Design helps reduce the double ringing effect when playing melodies. Cc Diatonic range. Includes twenty notes ranging from Low AHigh E. Material: Plastic. Category: Music. Type: Percussion. Length: 15.25 . Width: 7.25 . Height: 12 .

Greek Key $24.4 Greek Key

Hohner HO3P532 Blues Harp Pro Pack Key GAC $134.47 John Lennon Paul Butterfield Little Walter Neil Young and just about every serious musician who has played bluesstyle harp began with a Hohner Marine Band harmonica. Hohner spent more than 100 years perfecting these amazing instruments and when you cup one in your hand it s easy to tell the difference between a Marine Band harmonica and the next best thing the Marine Band harmonica just feels right. This harmonica has a rich and expressive sound that defines what most people think of when they imagine the sound of a harmonica. This Marine Band Pro Pack is a great deal on three Marine Band harmonicas that cover the keys of G A and C. When you pick up a Hohner Marine Band harmonica you don t just open a door to a world of music you grab a little piece of music history. 3 classic blues harmonicas. Diatonic keys of G A and C. Number one choice of top professionals. Full tone and wood comb. Reeds: 20. Reedplates: Brass. Comb: Pearwood.

Rhythm Band Instruments RB9558 Soprano Diatonic Glockenspiel $190.36 16 Bars (including two F# bars and one Bb bar) 2 beaters. Satisfaction ensured. Large selection to choose from. High quality components.

Rhythm Band Instruments SXP1 Diatonic Soprano Xylophone $628.76 Overtonetuned precisely to A440. C A with F# Bb and F# bars. Highquality African rosewood. 16 35 x 18mm bars. Allbirch resonator boxes with glued seams for resonance and tonal clarity.

Elementary Harmony by Kitson, C. H. [Paperback] $45.49 Contents Include: EarTraining in the Diatonic Major Scale Primary Triads of the Major Key in Root Position Primary Triads of the Minor Key in Root Position IIA and VIA in the Major KeyVIA in the Minor Key First Inversion of Triads in the Major Key Some First Inversion in the Minor Key The Melodic Minor Scale Unaccented Diatonic Passing Notes: Major Keys Unaccented Diatonic Passing Notes:Minor Keys The Chord of the Six Floor Accented Passing Notes The Chord of the Dominant Seventh Diminished Triads in the Root Position: Augmented Triads in Root Position and First Inversion The Mediant Triad in the Major Key Auxilary Notes Author: Kitson, C. H. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 308 Publication Date: 2006/01/01 Language: English Dimensions: 5.51 x 8.50 x 0.69 inches