Pentatonic Blues

A great way to introduce string players to improvisation is to teach them a minor pentatonic scale - D-F-G-A-C-D. It is really easy for students to play this scale on all the instruments. This scale can be used to improvise over a 12-bar blues progression:

The patterns above can be played either with a swing feel or straight feel, depending on the rhythmic backbround selected. Step 2 is to play patterns like the ones suggested above on the A string with the 12-bar blues background in D. Step 3 is to combine the patterns on the D string with the patterns on the A string over the 12-bar blues background in D. Step 4 is to ask the students to play back a different pattern then the one you play to them. Step 5 is to pair up the students with a partner and ask them to "trade 1s." Step 6 is to extend the patterns to 2-bar patterns and repeat the whole process.

As this process unfolds, ask students to create their own 1 bar "riffs" using the pitches from the D minor pentatonic scale.

As you play patterns to the students, vary the dynamics, tonal color, articulations, bowings, add glissandi (slides), and make subtle changes to the rhythm of the patterns if you repeat them. This will help students to think of improvising as being about more than just pitch and rhythm, and encourage them to think about all the elements of music.

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