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GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Question On Scales?

Posted by: shellshock1911 Nov 5 2007, 05:57 AM

Ok lets say you wanted to play a solo in D minor.

Would it OK to start in D natural minor for example, then switch to D Harmonic Minor, then to D pentatonic minor, then back to natural...or something like that? Basically changing scales but staying in same key?

Posted by: Pavel Nov 5 2007, 06:03 AM

It would be better to stay in 7-notes scales (natural and harmonic minor) as putting in pentatonic scale would immediately break the whole feel and style of the solo - usually results in a mess of notes without any connection.

Posted by: shellshock1911 Nov 5 2007, 06:06 AM

QUOTE (Pavel @ Nov 5 2007, 06:03 AM)

Gotcha. So like if you were to switch from like natural minor to the modes of the major scale which are also minor (I forget which ones), that would be OK?

Posted by: Pavel Nov 5 2007, 06:08 AM

Minor scale is a mode of a major scale itself so i think it should be fine. David and Andrew are our top modes masters so now i'll let them help you out with modes.

I never rely on theory in my playing - only on my ear and sounding of what i play, so -> theory board, your help is needed!

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Nov 5 2007, 06:10 AM

QUOTE (shellshock1911 @ Nov 5 2007, 12:06 AM)

Gotcha. So like if you were to switch from like natural minor to the modes of the major scale which are also minor (I forget which ones), that would be OK?

Fine as long as the underlying chord structure doesn't conflict with the notes in the scale you are using at that time ...

Posted by: muris Nov 5 2007, 06:13 AM

QUOTE (Andrew Cockburn @ Nov 5 2007, 06:10 AM)

Fine as long as the underlying chord structure doesn't conflict with the notes in the scale you are using at that time ...

+1 once more

And feel free to use Dm pentatonic.
From your post I see you're at beginner stage and pentatonic is fine way for you,
along with natural minor of course.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Nov 5 2007, 06:21 AM

A little care is needed when awitching between modes though, again, it comes down to the chord progression - if you start on a D as the root you could use Dorian Aeolian or Phrygian for instance, and that would work fine. But if the next chord is Eminor, of the three modes, Dorian is the only one that has Em in its litst of characteristic chords. At that stage, if you were playing Aeolian or Phrygian it would sound wrong and a little dischordant, so be careful with modes. There is less of a problem swapping from D minor (aeolian) to harmonic minor, as there is only one note different, which is a close fit and Minor Pentatonic is 100% compatible with Minor as the minor pentatonic is just a minor with some missing notes.