Using a Major scale in a Minor key….huh?

[Daniel G]

Sooo…. I write songs, several of them in a minor key. One, the chord sequence is: Em; B7; C; B7 for the verse. Chorus is: Em; Am; B7. My question is, can I play a major scale using the same thought process Brian (and others) has taught here. Go down three steps, and you’re in position to play the major scale. Experimentation bears out that this doesn’t work, at all. Hasn’t stopped me from figuring scales I CAN use, E minor pentatonic, with the E minor chromatic scale superimposed here and there to match the chord being played, ( the D sharp of the B7, F sharp) gives me the feel of the song,which is a Latin Rock type of tune. Discovering Brian’s lesson on Santana gave the the idea of using the Dorian mode as sort of a foray into other realms, works really well for the chorus, because the chorus can be seen as 1-4-5 (Em, Am, B7) and I change the key I’m playing to Am, use the licks in that lesson,and it all comes out great. But still, is it just as simple that “you can’t play a major scale to a minor key”, or is there more to it. Key of C major, bluesing it you play the C minor pentatonic, drop down three steps, and you’re playing the C major scale. Doesn’t work that way with a minor scale. It’s a hungry brain thing, I’m always looking for new doors to open. Thanks guys!

Dr G

[Duffy P]

Try going up three frets. Play the G major scale over that progression. C major will work, too.

G major will work because it’s the relative major of e minor. It contains all your chords except the B7. C also contains all those chords, except B7. On the B7 you might have to do some adjusting, depending on how you feel about the D against the chord.

[Daniel G]

You got that right on Duffy! And, music brainy types have it all figured out . The E minor Harmonic Scale, and the G Bebop Major scale, of which I can firmly affirm I had no clue existed, but contains all the notes I was using. Go figure, an idiot savant, I! 😜

Dr G

[Daniel G]

Ummm… a bit of a brain fade while posting that.. 😜 Haven’t used the Dorian for the Em key segments of this song, and did a segue to the key of Am that allowed me to try out portions of the Dorian mode, using bits and pieces of the licks Brian teaches in his Santana style lesson.

Dr G

[Daniel G]

A sample of the style and stuff I’m using for the verse (Song is “Dream Woman”)

Dr G

[Daniel G]

Link to the sample, on a different forum

Dr G

[Daniel G]

Ok. (The things you can find out when you’re sick and having to lay low) Key is not E minor, the song has a B7 chord. E Harmonic minor. Which is the scale I’ve been superimposing over the E minor pentatonic scale. As well, I’ve been using the G Bebop scale, which I never heard of, but the notes made awesome pasing notes and really added to the Latin feel

Dr G

[Daniel G]

That would be the G Bebop Major scale… If this all seems pointless, well, it’s like this: when I’m really on, I’m inspired, I’m playing without thinking, just going for it. I come up with things I have no idea of how I got there, they felt/sounded so good. Afterward, I’m not always sure how I got there, or how to get back and do even more exploring. These scales, keys, the things Brian teaches, are like maps that can lead me to all kinds of connections, which can lead to all kinds of intense major joy while playing

Dr G

[Duffy P]

When in doubt, tell people you are using the chromatic scale. It’s got you covered.

[Daniel G]

Now that I know “Bebop” is a real thing, I don’t know…. a slow nod, “hmmmm, sounds like it Bebop”

Dr G

[Vorocnan]

Nice price well played.

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