Pentatonic Scale (with Through it All)

By Bass Levite
This post deals with another common type of free worship style I call "the random running" style. I will use the instrumental and bridge section of the song "Through It All" from Hillsong's "Blessed" album as an example.



The G Major Pentatonic Scale
Most bass free worship intrumentals use the pentatonic scale, so it is important to know it.

-----------------7-9-12-9-7-----------------
-----------5-7-9------------9-7-5-----------
-------5-7------------------------7-5-------
-3-5-7--------------------------------7-5-3-

The Random Run Free Worship
As the name implies, it is random, and is faster than a walk! There are two important things you need to be aware off when doing this .

- allow the riff to breathe (think of a runner resting in between sprints)
- reach the next chord in time after each "run"
- feel the atmosphere of the worship and play accordingly

The chord progression I'm using in the video is:

| G | Em | C | D | (very common pattern)

I have used the 5 major pentatonic scale in the improvisation bits. Note that in the first two beats of each bar, the riff is relatively light and simple, allowing it to breathe. The last 2 beats of each bar is where the "random run" is done. Also try to synchronise with the drummer in a band.

Because this technique is all about improvisation, I have not included any tabs, leaving the reader to experiment on their own.

You will also notice that as you progress and master this technique, you will pick up a certain "taste". You can feel the different "taste" in the free worship style, for example, by comparing Planershaker's and Hillsongs's. Hence, you will notice that I do a lot of hammer-ons as part of my signature.


"It's time to get out of the root note comfort zone!"