Pentatonic (5 NOTE) Scale

• Notes are A-C-D-E-G

• Playing these notes together will always sound good!

Instructions for Jazz Improvisation

Set-Up for Each Recording

1. Open Mixcraft 7

2. Set Audio Tracks to "2", Instrument Tracks to "1".

3. Set Snap to "Snap 1/8 Notes" and select "Beats".

"Cool Jazz"

4. Select "Library" below the middle of the screen.

5. Choose "Library: Loops", Sort by "Song Kit" and select "Cool Jazz".

6.  Choose any bass loop besides Bass 1 and extend it 16 measures - it should end at 17

7. Choose any drum loop and extend it to the same place.

8. Refer to step 17 when ready to record.

"Synth House"

9. Choose "Library: Loops", Sort by "Song Kit" and select "Synth House".

10. Choose any bass loop and extend it 16 measures - it should end at 17.

11. Choose any "Percussion" loops (that includes loops labeled "Percussion" or labeled with percussion instruments) and extend it to the same place.

12. Refer to step 17 when ready to record.

"60's Protest Rock"

13. Choose "Library: Loops", Sort by "Song Kit" and select "60's Protest Rock".

14. Choose any "Organ Bass" loops and extend it 16 measures - it should end at 17

15. Choose any "Drumbeat" loops and extend it to the same place.

16. Refer to step 17 when ready to record.

Recording Instructions

17. In the middle of the screen you will see a metronome next to a pair of up-and-down arrows. Open the metronome menu and select "Recording Count-In Measures: 1"

18. Experiment playing the A minor Pentatonic Scale (A-C-D-E-G) over your backing track with different instruments to find one you like.

19. Make sure you play notes that are ABOVE middle C. If your notes still sound really low, try pressing the + under the word octave on your keyboard.

20. When you choose an instrument and you are ready to record your solo, arm the track and press the red record button. There will be a 4 beat count-in before you start your solo

21. Once you are happy with your solo, Select File > Mix Down To > MP3 and save to your piano folder, naming it with the name of the style you are playing.

22. When you are done saving, click File > New Project and create your next track. When you are done with "60's Protest Rock", you are finished!