Scale useage


earthman buck
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earthman buck
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03/22/2006 2:56 am
I realize this has probably been answered a thousand times in the course of GT history, but I figure as long as you folks have got the knowledge, I might as well ask it again.

How do you put scales to use? I mean, I'm willing to learn scales and stuff if it helps me play better, but I just haven't a clue how to put them to use in constructing solos and whatnot. I understand a little bit of theory (I understand the modes somewhat), but isn't it true that the notes in a scale can be played along with other notes? If so, what do the notes on a scale mean? And also, how do you know which scale(s) to use when improvising?
# 1
Julian Vickers
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Julian Vickers
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03/22/2006 3:17 am
Originally Posted by: earthman buckbut isn't it true that the notes in a scale can be played along with other notes?[/QUOTE]

Yes it's true, especially in jazz to play notes that aren't in key and don't fit in the scale, but the important thing is this: Tension and Release. When you play a note that 'doesn't fit', it will sound tense and unresolved, but if you resolve it to a note that does fit, it will make sense.

[QUOTE=earthman buck] If so, what do the notes on a scale mean? And also, how do you know which scale(s) to use when improvising?


When you play a chord, there will pretty much always be a scale that will go with it, sometimes more than one scale.
Finding which scale to play over a chord becomes easier if you know what key the song is in. For example, if I were to play a Gminor7, there are several potential scales you could play over that, including the G Aeolian(pure minor), G Dorian and G Phrygian. Now, those scales all relate to a different parent scale or key. The G Aeolian is the 6th mode of the Bb major scale, the G Dorian 2nd mode of the Fmajor scale etc.

I find it hard to explain theory in text sorry. Hope I helped, even a little bit.
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ren
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ren
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03/22/2006 12:29 pm
Try looking up diatonic harmony somewhere like this .... it's all pretty obvious once you get going

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DarrenShahinian
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DarrenShahinian
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03/29/2006 7:03 am
Knowing the notes in the scale you want to apply is also a huge factor. Depending what chord you are playing, certain notes in the scale will have a higher degree of dissonance than others, or over other chords in the same key.
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earthman buck
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earthman buck
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04/03/2006 2:17 am
Originally Posted by: zreynoldspTry looking up diatonic harmony somewhere like this .... it's all pretty obvious once you get going

Here's something from that site you posted that I don't understand.

................II Chord
..................D-7
..Scale.......................Chord
.Degree.......Note.........Tone
_________________________
....2..............D............Root
....4..............F.............b3
....6..............A..............5
....1..............C.............b7

Ok. I understand it to some extent. F is the 4th scale degree because in the Key of C (which this example is supposedly in), F is the fourth note. So why is the chord tone b3?
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64johnny
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64johnny
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04/03/2006 4:03 am
Originally Posted by: Julian VickersYes it's true, especially in jazz to play notes that aren't in key and don't fit in the scale, but the important thing is this: Tension and Release. When you play a note that 'doesn't fit', it will sound tense and unresolved, but if you resolve it to a note that does fit, it will make sense.



When you play a chord, there will pretty much always be a scale that will go with it, sometimes more than one scale.
Finding which scale to play over a chord becomes easier if you know what key the song is in. For example, if I were to play a Gminor7, there are several potential scales you could play over that, including the G Aeolian(pure minor), G Dorian and G Phrygian. Now, those scales all relate to a different parent scale or key. The G Aeolian is the 6th mode of the Bb major scale, the G Dorian 2nd mode of the Fmajor scale etc.

I find it hard to explain theory in text sorry. Hope I helped, even a little bit.

i knew totally what you were saying, and playing the scales over relating chord structures will come naturally overtime. peace folk !
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jeffhx
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04/03/2006 11:49 am
Originally Posted by: earthman buckI realize this has probably been answered a thousand times in the course of GT history, but I figure as long as you folks have got the knowledge, I might as well ask it again.

How do you put scales to use? I mean, I'm willing to learn scales and stuff if it helps me play better, but I just haven't a clue how to put them to use in constructing solos and whatnot. I understand a little bit of theory (I understand the modes somewhat), but isn't it true that the notes in a scale can be played along with other notes? If so, what do the notes on a scale mean? And also, how do you know which scale(s) to use when improvising?


having thevery same problem here... i was told that u need to know every position of one particular scale to do so...ud probably knew that already though...the thing with me is that when i look up a tablature for scales... i just see... dots... i dont know where to start, where to continue...
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Jolly McJollyson
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04/03/2006 3:11 pm
Originally Posted by: earthman buckHere's something from that site you posted that I don't understand.

................II Chord
..................D-7
..Scale.......................Chord
.Degree.......Note.........Tone
_________________________
....2..............D............Root
....4..............F.............b3
....6..............A..............5
....1..............C.............b7

Ok. I understand it to some extent. F is the 4th scale degree because in the Key of C (which this example is supposedly in), F is the fourth note. So why is the chord tone b3?


Because it's the tone of the II7 chord: Dm7.
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earthman buck
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earthman buck
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04/03/2006 3:24 pm
Originally Posted by: Jolly McJollysonBecause it's the tone of the II7 chord: Dm7.

*makes a motion to show that what you said went right over my head*

If someone can really dumb it down and help me out, that'd be great. If not, no biggie. I take theory in music class now, so I figure I'm bound to learn it sooner or later.
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Cryptic Excretions
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Cryptic Excretions
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04/03/2006 4:26 pm
Originally Posted by: earthman buck*makes a motion to show that what you said went right over my head*

If someone can really dumb it down and help me out, that'd be great. If not, no biggie. I take theory in music class now, so I figure I'm bound to learn it sooner or later.

b3 is a minor 3rd from D. It's the 4th degree from C, but D is the 2nd from C and from D to F is a 3rd, in this case a minor 3rd to be precise.
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earthman buck
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earthman buck
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04/03/2006 7:13 pm
Originally Posted by: Cryptic Excretionsb3 is a minor 3rd from D. It's the 4th degree from C, but D is the 2nd from C and from D to F is a 3rd, in this case a minor 3rd to be precise.

Ohhh....I get it now. I feel like an idiot. That's exactly what we've been talking about in Theory class.

Thanks, man.
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Cryptic Excretions
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Cryptic Excretions
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04/03/2006 8:18 pm
Originally Posted by: earthman buckOhhh....I get it now. I feel like an idiot. That's exactly what we've been talking about in Theory class.

Thanks, man.

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