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You are here: Home / Jazz Lessons / Playing Outside-4 Tonic Dominant b9 Pentatonics-Lesson 1
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Playing Outside-4 Tonic Dominant b9 Pentatonics-Lesson 1

Playing Outside-4 Tonic Dominant b9 Pentatonics-Lesson 1

Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 1 customer rating
(1 customer review)

$9.99

Categories: Jazz Lessons, Modern Improv Tags: 4 tonic, jazz improvisation, pentatonics, saxophone, video lesson
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  • Reviews (1)
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Description

Playing Outside-4 Tonic Dominant b9 Pentatonics-Lesson 1 is the first lesson in a new lesson series based on the concept of using a dominant b9 pentatonic scale in 4 different keys over a minor tonality to create hip modern lines.

These great sounding pentatonic lines are all taken out of the diminished scale and give you some great approaches to creating lines that sound “outside”. I include a PDF with the Dominant b9 Pentatonics written out in the 4 keys we will be working on in this lesson. I also have written these lines out in 8 different pentatonic patterns for you to practice.

In this 36 minute video lesson, I take you through the steps in learning these 4 pentatonic scales and then show you how to best practice them to the play along. I demonstrate them for you to the playalong with the soprano saxophone. This is a great lesson to give you a unique way to create lines over a minor groove or minor ii-V-i progression. It’s also a great lesson to give you more insight and use of the diminished scale while soloing. (36 Minute Video Lesson, PDF of patterns in Bb, Eb and C, Playalong in C Minor Concert)

1 review for Playing Outside-4 Tonic Dominant b9 Pentatonics-Lesson 1

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    Rated 5 out of 5

    Stuart (verified owner) – June 16, 2026

    Wow! I bought this lesson some time ago, and after finally writing it all down, I just now started to get it! This is so cool! The “dom b9” pentatonic is sweet! I mean, dissonance never sounded so good! I just spent a couple of hours playing it and its 3 sisters over minor ii-Vs – and I just love it. It’s easy to remember the pentatonic, and having 4 of them to choose from keeps it from sounding too rote (even though that’s exactly what it is). It’s funny, at the beginning of the lesson, you warn us that it the subject is convoluted, but it’s actually beautiful, in a Douglas Hofstadter kind of way. [btw: in his book Around The Horn, Walt Weiskopf uses this pentatonic as his “arpeggio” for the fifth mode of the harmonic minor.] Now if I could just master Bergonzi’s patterns…

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Hello Steve,

I have not received my alto yet but have already gone through 14 lessons. I love your approach, style, knowledge and competence. I now regret so much to have stayed away from playing the sax for the past 45-50 years…(I am 65).  But It is never too late to get back to your first love. After 23 years in compuer sciences and 22 years in finances…I am now back to music for the rest of my life.

Doing some research on the net, I found this:

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?1… Read more

Claude
I’ve been a member of Steve’s site for about six months now and the difference it has made to my playing is immeasurable. The (many) benefits of this membership are that you can have lessons at time convenient to you, they work out A LOT cheaper than face-to-face lessons with a teacher of the same calibre and you can replay them ad infinitum. I don’t know how many times have I had lessons in the past where I’ve ended up covering the same concepts when really a ‘replay’ of the last lesson would h… Read more
Nick

I want to thank you for your “Ultimate II-V-I Primer”  which has sent me off on a much better path to improvisation.  The primer and the four bound books I have will keep me busy for a long time.  I like your lessons for two reasons.  The lessons work and THEY ARE FUN.  Thanks again.

Robert

Robert
Just to say thanks for your advice and lessons.  I’ve just read your amazing story.  I really appreciate what you do in regards to teaching.  I have bought a couple of your lessons and frankly they’re undersold.   I’ve learned much more with these two lessons than with 2 years of sax teachers.   Thanks so much………..
Mike
Hi Steve, I live in a gorgeous but rural area of Oregon-no music store within 80 miles. Your lessons are my lifeline!  Truly the best there are anywhere online. Love your playing. Love your teaching.  Thanks again. Ed
Ed Woodmansee

Never really had lessons before just kinda worked things out on my own. Was in a rut but your lessons are really helpful in opening melodic possibilities. Ur an awesome resource to the saxophone community. Thanks for sharing. 

Anthony

Steve,

I have played for many years and have enjoyed going “back to the basics” in some of your lessons!  You have such a gift for explaining concepts.  As I have gotten older, some of the basic things have gotten muddled because I just play, not knowing why.  As I refresh myself with “why”, it increases my confidence and expands my playing.  Thank you so much for using your gift!  You are a blessing!

Julia
Hi Steve, I have been shedding your materials for quite a while now and I love them! They are extremely well organized and presented and there are tons of ’em! I really appreciate your methodical approach and find myself referring students to your resources often.  Thanks so much!  
Kenyon Carter
Thank you for the wealth of helpful lessons you’ve provided over the years.  I truly feel as though it has improved my playing more than the 4 years I spent at Berklee… and that’s not a slight on the school as I loved my experience there.
John
John

Steve,  Just want to say thanks for all you are doing for all of us. I’ve learned more from you than anyone else in my 40 years of playing.

If you can give some tips on One Note Samba, Ceora, and Wave… that would be cool.  I really like learning how you apply your concepts to actual songs!

Have a great year,

Kevin Ledbetter

I've learned more from you than anyone else in my 40 years of playing.

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