Re: What's the relation****p between scales and chords?

On Feb 26, 5:47 am, Dylan <DDawso...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> On 26 Feb, 11:26, LJS <ljsche...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
> > On Feb 26, 4:57 am, Dylan <DDawso...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
> > > Hi, learning harmonica and trying to learn some background theory to
> > > help me play improvisationally. If I'm playing along to a blues song
> > > with a I IV V ****gression, what scale would I play with each chord?
>
> > > Kind regards
> > > Dylan
>
> > Start with the blues scale for ALL the chords. Yes, just one scale to
> > be used for the entire piece!
>
> > You don't say if you are using a chromatic harp or not, so what ever
> > conversion you need to get the right notes, you should end up with
> > this one:
>
> > If you are playing in G  ( G C and D chords)  then use the scale G Bb
> > C (C#/Db) D F G.  You will find that this is the basic Blues. If you
> > are using a chromatic harp, AND you later decide to add more Jazzy
> > blues progressions and you want to play in various tem****ary keys,
> > that you will do well to study II V I theory and this will help you
> > with all the Jazz tunes including the blues.
> > LJS
>
> Much appreciated, LJS.
>
> So if I'm playing along to a blues progression, I'd play the relevant
> key harmonica and simply play the notes on the blues scale? I ask
> this, because I thought there may be specific notes dependent upon the
> chord as well.

Well, that's why God gave us ears. Listen. Your ear will be your
guide. Its worked for all the Blues players up to now, I don't see why
you would have any real problem. Listen to the blues players that you
like and your ear will be the best guide.

There are, of course, notes that will generally be more stable and
others that will create more tension over various chords. Your ear,
however, will quickly recognize this and you will correct it
automatically as you learn to listen to yourself play.

>
> I'm playing the diatonic harmonica. Should I study II V I theory for
> the diatonic?

It would be of very marginal help. II V I theory basically is used to
learn what scales are to be used when encountering these patterns.
These patterns usually will jump from key to key in Be Bop settings.
In the blues you are usually in only one key. Even if you are using
the 12 bar  blues variation of  I IV I I7 IV IV I I ii V I I, the
blues scale will work very well for you.
>
> Is there anything else you would recommend that I study?

The main thing for now (in the beginning) is to learn to listen to
what you play and to learn to play what you hear! If you can learn to
hear the melodies in the blues scale, you are doing more than most
will have patience to learn. Learn this scale and learn it well. Learn
to listen to how it relates to the changes and learn how to use shape,
and tension and development and how to make music with these limited
materials. Work on your melodic ideas. Learn how rhythm will help you
create melodies. Learn how to listen to phrasing and how to use a
short motive as a basis of longer segments and of longer melodies.

In short. Learn how to make music with the Blues progression and your
blues scale. Once you have this musical concept down, you will be
ready to explore different scales and different progressions. The
thing that is im****tant, however, is to simply learn to make music.
Anyone can play notes. Playing music is the goal and if you can make
music with the blues, you can learn to make music with any genre.
Good luck. Don't be shy to ask.
LJS

>
> Kind regards
> Dylan