In last week’s post, we looked at a lick that was based on Pentatonic Patterns ascending in Whole-Steps.  This time we’re in 3/4 time and the Pentatonics are descending in Major 3rds. Downloads: Pentatonic Lick Descending in Major 3rds  (requires Acrobat Reader)

Recently I saw some interesting videos of a technique employed by Kurt Rosenwinkle and others using pentatonic scales ascending in whole-steps.  The pattern builds and releases tension as it moves through six keys returning to the starting key.  I’ve written a number of exercise

Here’s a line on Cmaj7 that moves up the neck quite nicely. You’ll notice that I’m intentionally avoiding the 4th finger, opting instead for a 1st finger stretch. Doing this actually creates a momentum of the hand and encourages lengthwise movement on the fingerboard

Transcribing licks and phrases is great for building technique and a good jazz vocabulary. The following phrase is one I’ve heard Jonathan Kreisberg use regularly. Practice it in all keys by transposing up and down the neck.