The Fiddle Secrets of Pentatonic Scales

Fiddle Tips

Pentatonic scales form the backbone of folk music. They are also used extensively in jazz.
One of the first tunes I learned, Acorn Hill Breakdown, uses a D Pentatonic scale to create
the melodic line in the A part.

Knowing these scales, ability to play these scales will strengthen your whole fiddling life.
Concentrate on the primary keys that are used in fiddling, C, G, D, A and E...and F.

Take a look at the two tab charts that show the picture of pentatonic scales and how to use
pentatonic patterns to build speed.

The first shows the G and D pentatonic scales: Pentatonic Scales

The second shows how they can be used to develop rapid fingering technique: Pentatonic Patterns

Learning these patterns and scales will give you the creative building blocks to make up your own excellent variations on popular fiddle tunes.

 

 

 

 

 

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