Lesson: Dominant Pentatonics

INTRO:

The dominant pentatonic scale is a five note scale derived from the mixolydian mode. It contains scale degrees 1, 2, 3, 5, and b7. Naturally this scale works great over dominant chords but, like all pentatonic scales, it can be substituted over a wide range of harmonies. Also like its pentatonic brethren it lends itself well to melodic patterns.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

There are a ton of ways to use this scale. Below is a list of scale degrees for major, dominant, and minor chords that this scale works on (you'll have to figure out the rest on your own) with the scale degrees that are generated from the scale. Please be aware that some of these are very "out" and should be used with care.

C Major 7-

From the 2nd (D): 2-3-#4-6-1

From the 3rd (E): 3-#4-#5-7-9

From the 6th (A): 6-7-#2-3-5

C Dominant 7:

From the Root (C): 1-2-3-5-b7

From the 2nd (D): 2-3-#4-6-1

From the b3rd (Eb): b3-4-5-b7-b9

From the #4th (F#): #4-#5-b7-b9-3

From the #5th (G#): #5-b7-1-b3-b5

From the b7th (Bb): b7-1-2-4-#5

C Minor 7:

From the 3rd (Eb): 3-4-5-b7-b9

From the 4th (F): 4-5-6-1-3

From the 5th (G): 5-6-7-9-4

From the b7th (Bb): b7-1-2-4-#5

Etude:

Here's a PDF with an example of this scale being substituted over different chords in a blues progression.

Dominant_Pentatonics.pdf

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