In this lesson we’re going to look at the most common scale in all of rock, pop and funk bass – The E Minor Pentatonic Scale!
E Minor Pentatonic
This lesson will explore the E minor pentatonic scale which is built using degrees 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7 of the E natural minor scale. Click here if you haven’t yet seen the lesson on pentatonic scales or could use a refresher on the subject.
The E minor pentatonic scale is used loads in popular music – especially in rock, pop and funk.
Firstly, you will need to memorise this two-octave E minor pentatonic scale:
Before moving on, make sure you can:
- Play the scale fluently without gaps between notes
- Play it without notation (from memory)
- Descend without ascending first
Application
As with any theory you learn, this new scale needs to be put into context. We are going to do by playing a few different riffs using the E minor pentatonic scale.
This first one has a classic rock feel to it:
This riff makes use of all the stereotypical E minor pentatonic characteristics – things you are likely to get in a standard rock bassline. One especially popular fill features in this riff in the third beat of bar two – we can call this a ‘skip’ rhythm. The skip is pretty easy to play and is used by loads of famous bass players such as Geddy Lee and John Entwhistle. Here are a few examples to show you how to fit the rhythm into different parts of a riff:
Here is another riff with a rock feel to it. This run descends the minor pentatonic scale using a straight 16th note rhythm.
Penatonic Slap Riff
As well as rock and pop, the E minor pentatonic scale is also used loads in funk music. This is because the open E and A can be played while the fretting hand is somewhere else on the neck. Here is a cool riff that will improve your slapping as well as your knowledge of the pentatonic scale:
S = Slap
I really like this site
this was excellent Mark ,
thanks
That’s very useful Mark sir !
Great ! Hats off to you !
That’s amazing!
Great video, but I would of like to of seen that Pentatonic run (19:04) with a drum beat behind it. Getting that on the beat is tricky at the end.
Amazing class Mark!!!
What an incredible lesson Mark, thank you so much!! I learned more from watching this one video than I have in almost a months worth of lessons!
Excellent 👍 lesson very helpful
Really useful scale – there’s always something cool to learn from your videos Mark lml
I haven’t played since high school, over 40 years ago and 3 day’s ago I went out and picked up a bass and amp. Looking forward to some fun and learning. This is a great lesson, thanks!
Thank you very much Mark, such great lessons!!
I ENJOY YOUR TEACHING METHODS! THANKS.
Im 63 yr piano. Player. I. Join a 3 pc Band That did not. Have a bass player. So. I bought a bass. Started. Watching your lessons Mark. And in. A. Yr. im a advanced. Player. Playimg keyboards. I Knew. . All the notes. On a bass. Ive. All ready. Knew. All scales and. Mooes. With your help. Ive. Made. The transition pretty smooth Thank you again I’m a member of your courses this is my first, I really appreciate how you teach thank you again Jimmy keys