notes in a key

Hi, just trying to get my head around including notes which dont belong in a particular key. For example this riff "http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=7649" is in the key of E, but has notes which are not in that key (G,Bb,F). Is there any formula for including these notes or just what sounds good.

thanks

I think you'll find that example is in the key of E minor rather than E Major... so the notes are in key. I can't see an F in there I don't think... The Bb would be a flattened fifth - the 'blues' note. Not strictly in key, but it is common....

However, you can use notes that are not technically 'correct' - it's about how you resolve a phrase. Try playing a note a semi-tone below one that is in key, and just bend it up. Maybe play a fast run of three notes, with the first and last being in key, and the middle one being outside.

There are so may options... have a play with it - your ears will tell you what worked and what didn't... :D

Although I can't see all of the notes used in the riff without looking it up, from what I see I would say it's from the E Locrian Mode.

Originally Posted by: ren

However, you can use notes that are not technically 'correct' - it's about how you resolve a phrase. Try playing a note a semi-tone below one that is in key,
and just bend it up.

Here`s an example of what Ren is suggesting

http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=9841

Notes out of the key are all up to the ear of the beholder. If your playing by yourself, and it sounds good to you let her rip. The only place you have to pay more attention is when your playing along with other bandmates. Then you all have to be on the same page when it comes to key, and note selections that are out of the key. By letting them know about your chromatic travels in certain areas of the piece of music your working on they can make adjustments if necessary.