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GMC Forum _ THEORY _ Chords

Posted by: kingwayne Jun 28 2014, 06:27 AM

HELLO FELLOW GMC, KING WAYNE HERE, IM STUDYING IN THE STYLE OF( GARY MOORE, INTERMEDIATE) THE INSTRUCTOR IS IVAN MIHALOVICI (GREAT INSTRUCTOR) I HAVE A THEORY QUESTION, THE CHORDS TO THE SONG THAT HE IS PLAYING IS AM7 DM7 G6 CMAJ7 FMAJ7 BDIM, THESE CHORDS ARE NOT BEING FRETTED,HES PLAYING THEM LIKE SCALES, WHERE CAN I GO TO GET A BETTER UNDER STANDING OF THIS TYPE PLAYING.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 28 2014, 08:33 AM

Hello there

I'd be happy to help out, so let's begin by taking a look at the chord progression used in order to understand where it came from:

Am7 Dm7 G6 Cmaj7 Fmaj7 Bdim E7

Whenever you want to build a chord progression based on a certain scale, you need to harmonize that particular scale - that means creating a chord out of each step of the scale, using only notes making up that scale.

In this case - Ivan mentioned that we are dealing with the Am scale - this scale can be regarded as a mode - a permutation of the notes of a natural major scale in our case. If we take a look at the C major scale: C D E F G A B C - we will notice that the A minor scale (A B C D E F G A) is a permutation of the notes making up the C major scale.

Now, if we create a chord out of each note making up the A minor scale, we will discover Am Bdim Cmaj Dm Em Fmaj Gmaj Am and the E7 could be regarded as belonging to the E harmonic minor mode. Each of these chords can be altered with 7ths or 6ths as long as those notes belong to the Am scale.

Now, I have briefly ran you through A LOt of info, in order to offer a glimpse on applying theory knowledge to understand what's going on, but I totally recommend you to start reading the theory chapter dealing with the Major scale and it's modes: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=48825

Let's continue the discussion here and Ill be happy to assist further

Posted by: klasaine Jun 28 2014, 02:51 PM

Just as an historical point ...
That chord progression comes straight out of Vivaldi's 'winter' from the 4 Seasons suite and more recently a french pop song that turned into a jazz standard - Autumn Leaves

*The chords move forward in (the circle of) 4ths. Quite revolutionary at the time Vivaldi did it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 28 2014, 03:28 PM

Hi King Wayne! Welcome to GMC!

When we hear a solo, we are listening to the guitarist playing a series of phrases and licks over a chord progression played by the other instruments like Bass, Guitar and Keyboards. The chords give us information about the scales that can be used to create melodies over them.

In this lesson, Ivan plays a Gary Moore style solo while those chords are being played in the backing track. These are the shapes that you can use for each chord:

Am7
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

Dm7
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

G6
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

CMAJ7
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

FMAJ7
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

BDIM
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

These chords belong to A minor tonality and that's why Ivan uses A minor scale to create the guitar solo.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

Let's do an exercise, play the backing track from that lesson and try the notes of A minor scale (the scale below). You will see that with some practice you will be able to create nice melodies over it.

You surely as yourself, why these chords belong to A minor tonality? Well, the reason of this can be solved with the study of harmony & theory which is very recommended to be able to create solos and songs. It can be tricky at first but here we are to guide you, so just let me know and we will start working deeply on this topic.