Good scales for a sad song?

Hello there,

I would like to attempt writing a ballad with a bit of sadness in it. Do you all have any suggestions for scales (for chords and lead play) that might be good to use? I have seen minor chords suggested for this type of song, but was wondering if any of you have any favorites.

Thanks for any input!

Greg :)

Natural minor works well... It's used in Stairway to heaven, for instance.

Harmonic minor scales work pretty good too.

Overall though, just as a hint. ignore just sticking to scales and hum along a melody line to your recording and then learn it.
If you stick to scales, it'll sound like you just use scales.
If you hum a melody, you'll come up with all sorts of new ideas.

Originally Posted by: schmange

ignore just sticking to scales and hum along a melody line to your recording and then learn it.
If you stick to scales, it'll sound like you just use scales.
If you hum a melody, you'll come up with all sorts of new ideas.

Spot on. I mean you can find a scale and hammer it out trying to include your style at the same time. But this might make it sound like just another sad song. I figure the whole point of a sad song is for the song to have meaning. Nothing says meaning then making your guitar cry to it.