Are you looking to spice up your guitar playing with a fusion sound that bridges jazz, rock, and blues? This technique, which involves layering different pentatonic scales over the same chord, can give your solos that complex and sophisticated edge. In this post, I’ll break down a powerful and flexible method for expanding your musical vocabulary using just three pentatonic scales. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started!
Pentatonic scales are a guitarist’s best friend. They’re often the first scales we learn, thanks to their simplicity and versatility. However, by thinking outside the box, we can use these familiar shapes to create fresh, exciting sounds. The Triple Pentatonic Hack is about combining three pentatonic scales over one chord to access different tonal colors, giving you a fusion sound that ranges from smooth and melodic to adventurous and edgy.
The key is knowing which pentatonic scales to use and how they interact with the underlying chord.
Step 1: Start with Minor Pentatonics
The core idea behind this method is to stack three minor pentatonic scales over a single chord. For example, over a C minor chord, you can use:
- C minor pentatonic (root)
- G minor pentatonic (the 5th)
- D minor pentatonic (the 2nd)
Each of these scales will highlight different notes and extensions of the C minor chord, giving you a range of tonal possibilities.
- C minor pentatonic provides a classic bluesy sound.
- G minor pentatonic adds a “flavor” by highlighting more of the chord’s natural notes.
- D minor pentatonic targets higher extensions, like the 9th and 13th, offering a more open and modern sound.
By shifting between these pentatonics, you’ll instantly create new textures while maintaining the recognizable sound of pentatonic phrases. This is particularly effective for crafting “fusion” or “hard bop” runs that sound intricate but are simple to execute once you grasp the concept.
Step 2: Expand to Major Chords
The triple pentatonic concept isn’t just for minor chords. You can apply it to major chords as well. Let’s take a C major chord as an example. You can use:
- A minor pentatonic (the 6th)
- E minor pentatonic (the 3rd)
- B minor pentatonic (the 7th, highlighting the sharp 11)
This combination not only works beautifully over C major but also introduces interesting harmonic choices like the sharp 11, which is a hallmark of fusion music.
Step 3: “Out” and “In” Sounds for Added Spice
One of the coolest parts of this technique is its ability to create both “out” and “in” sounds, making your playing more dynamic. For example, over an altered chord like C7#9, you can use:
- B-flat minor pentatonic for a more dissonant, “outside” sound.
- Then resolve to F major using A minor pentatonic, which brings you “inside” and resolves the tension.
This is a technique often used by jazz fusion guitarists like John Scofield. The interplay between dissonance and resolution adds depth to your playing and makes your solos more engaging.
How to Use It in Practice
Here’s a quick exercise to get you started:
- Play a C minor chord on your looper or backing track.
- Solo using the C minor pentatonic scale.
- Shift to the G minor pentatonic, playing similar phrases.
- Move to the D minor pentatonic and notice how the scale highlights different notes in the chord.
- Mix them up! Try playing phrases that weave between all three pentatonic scales, creating fluid and complex-sounding runs.
This method works because the pentatonic scales are easy to visualize and play, yet they give you a sophisticated fusion sound.
Take It Further
Once you get comfortable with the basic combinations, experiment with other chord types and pentatonic pairings. For example, try moving between altered chords and resolving to major chords, as described above. By practicing these transitions, you can begin to incorporate “outside” playing into your solos without losing your grounding in familiar pentatonic shapes.
Remember, the goal is to expand your vocabulary using scales you already know, making your playing sound richer and more varied.
Final Thoughts
The Triple Pentatonic Hack is a powerful tool for any guitarist looking to develop a fusion sound. By layering pentatonic scales over chords, you can create everything from bluesy phrases to jazz-influenced runs. And because the pentatonic shapes are already in your toolkit, this approach feels natural, even as it unlocks new sonic possibilities.
So, fire up your looper, experiment with these pentatonic combinations, and watch your playing evolve. ways to take your playing to the next level. Don’t forget to subscribe and share if you enjoyed this lesson!
