BassMan94 Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 Im going to be posting many dumb questions on the theory section with the things I dont "get", so bare with me ! Playing brickhouse and it is in the key of G major/ E minor but also it was written A dorian. If im correct that is A b c d e f# g A. A lick i created was a run down (sixteenth note pattern) which consisted of G(12th) F# E D C and then landing on the A of the 7th fret. What Ive been reading into recently is Chord Tones. So its got A C E G which are the chord tones. It also contains the F# which brings A dorian scale out ? Is this why it works or am i speaking complete rubbish ? If theres anything you guys want to add, go for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
visog Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 (edited) Not sure what 'Brickhouse' is but you say you've got A C E G as chord tones so that's Am7. if that's the chord you're playing against then yes you've hit chord tone bingo. The F# would just be a passing note as you say from the A Dorian scale, i.e. the 6th of A Dorian. Not a note you'd rest on but it sounds OK as it's from the key centre. Jeff Berlin's point on this matter is that waffling around the A Dorian scale generally is OK but doesn't specify the chord you're playing against. So as long as you're playing on the Am7, you're bang on. You've seen this right? [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFYvUBVMqMk"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFYvUBVMqMk[/url] (Trouble is... JB's approach has us all playing the same vanilla chord tones... where's the expression!?) Edited July 1, 2012 by visog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayben Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 Op - it makes sense from a music theory point of view, it works. I tend to think of this kind of thing though in terms of *play random thing* Does it work? If not, work out what you did ad adjust it so it'll work within the 'rules'. If it does work or sound good, then leave it alone. I sometimes play fills that I honestly couldn't tell you how they relate to the chord without pen and paper, but they sound good to me, so.. They stay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassMan94 Posted July 1, 2012 Author Share Posted July 1, 2012 Ive always left it to if it sounds good, its good! But i really need to brush up on the theory side so just thought why does this work, theoretically? And yes ! thats where I actually started practicing chord tones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soliloquy Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 (edited) A Dorian = A, B, C, D, E, F sharp, G, A Your lick does indeed work because it contains notes from the A Dorian mode. Chord tones are important to emphasize, don't overdo the Major 6 too much. Whereabouts in the West Midlands are you ? I live in Sutton Coldifeld, PM me if you want any lessons in harmony and theory. I'm just about to complete my first year at Music College. Harmony and theory are a favourite subject of mine. Edited July 1, 2012 by Soliloquy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 He blew a kiss at the end of the session!?! I feel wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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